Daily Devotional for December 20, 2016

Proverbs 11:24-25
It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The latest issue of our county’s historical journal has a reprint of an article that features my Mam-ma Polly.  The story was written by our dear friend Merrellyn, who was Mam-ma’s neighbor in the last 2 decades of her life. Merrellyn peppered the article with Mam-ma’s recollections of her childhood, as well as some interesting experiences from her adult life.  She notes how hard that she and her siblings worked to help my great-grandmother with chores…and that she did not have a home with electricity until 1938 - six years after she and my grandfather married. My dad was two by then. I cannot imagine life with a toddler and no electricity…can you?

I’ve said many times that I always thought my grandparents were rich…because they were always sharing SOMETHING with someone else.  By the same token, I grew up hearing about a few people in our community who legitimately were financially able to do a lot of good things for many people…but they were so attached to their money and possessions that they could not bear to think of parting with any of them – even for a “good” cause.  And when I thought of these people, they seemed lonely, bitter, and sad.

I’ve known more than a few people who isolated themselves and “hid their light under a barrel”…and when the time came that they were in need, there were few people who were even aware of them enough to step forward and help.  On the other hand, I’ve known people who gave generously of their time, energy and whatever they had to any and all who required what they had to offer…and there was practically a line around the block to help them whenever they needed assistance.

I’ve attended funerals for people who were virtually penniless…yet they gave all they could and lived a “rich,” full life filled with service, love and joy.  And I’ve attended services for some who lived such stingy, self-absorbed lives that barely a dozen people showed up to pay their respects.  I’m not saying that this is always how the equation works.  I’m sure there have been mitigating circumstances, and generous people who were neglected or “flew under the radar.”  I know there were probably some selfish folks who appeared to have a bevy of friends and people who cared about them in spite of their egocentric nature.  But Scripture tells us in Galatians 6:7 that “…a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows!”

The goal is not to die surrounded by people who care and sing your praises…or those who will note how “rich” you were.  The aim should be to serve God with everything we have…because it ALL ultimately belongs to Him in the first place.  The rewards and blessings that come from giving are a nice byproduct - a bonus, if you will!  God does not bless us so that we can become self-centered hoarders of our time, talents and money.  He showers us with abundance so that we can share with others in the name of Jesus.  We can all do better at this.

My challenge today is that we all take inventory of our lives and see where we could “share the wealth” a little more - and glorify God in the process.  Are you willing to take a closer look?  Isn’t this the perfect week to do so?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for December 11, 2016

Luke 6:38
For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give—large or small—will be used to measure what is given back to you.”
  
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Early in my life, I learned what a joy it is to give to others – particularly from the examples of my paternal grandparents. My grandfather loved to show up on our doorstep on a Saturday morning with a truckload of new furniture. He “outfitted” all of our bedrooms over time with pieces that still fill my parents’ house today. But he and my grandmother also loved to share an extra bushel of peas or a few pounds of Black Angus beef with family and friends. My grandmother spent hours sewing tiny Barbie doll clothes for my sister and me… and they both enjoyed helping the needy and lending a hand where possible.

December 20, 1981, my grandparents’ house burned to the ground.  It was a crisp Sunday morning, and as my grandmother fried sausage for breakfast and Pap-pa fed his cows, the fire quickly consumed their very old farm house and virtually everything in it.  They managed to move their vehicles…grab their clothes, the mantel clock, and the family Bible…and get out with their lives. One year shy of their 50th wedding anniversary – at ages 70 and 69 – my grandparents were pretty well stripped bare of all physical belongings.

In the months that followed, a new house was built for them only yards away from the site of the old home…and people showered them with gifts of household items, furnishings, food, and money. Friends who wintered in the deep South offered the use of their home while they were away…so my grandparents had a cozy house in which to stay while theirs was under construction. The builder re-worked his already busy schedule, so that the house could be erected quickly, and my grandparents could get back to their farm as quickly as possible. 

By the time my grandparents moved into their new home in early 1982, they had all of the household items and furnishings they needed to be cozy and comfortable. Their lifetime of giving was pressed down and shaken together…and room was made for an overflow of contributions, as they pretty well started over.

This experience made me keenly aware of what a blessing it is go give to others. Once we understand the joy of giving, it often becomes second nature.  I am not talking about tangible gifts or monetary donations, although it can feel good to give these, as well.  But we all can give according to our abilities. Every one of us can serve others in some capacity.  We can share what we have with those who are in need…or just to put a smile on someone else’s face. 

In Giddy Up, Eunice!*, Sophie Hudson tells about her mother-in-law, Martha, who spent the entire afternoon with a friend who had moved into a nursing home.  She visited with the lady, folded her clothes, and just kept her company.  And when Martha left, the friend, said, “It was good to see you, Dot!”  Hudson notes that Martha kept going back to visit this lady.  Why?  Because that was Martha’s gift to her friend.  The friend didn’t remember Martha’s name…but she enjoyed the visit. They laughed together and shared conversation…and it didn’t matter what the friend knew who she was - or didn’t.  Martha got the blessing anyway.  And heaven forbid…should Martha ever end up in such a facility, it sounds like there would be a line out the door of folks waiting to spend an afternoon with her!

We shouldn’t give in order to be rewarded or blessed. We should give because God gave us the most perfect Gift – Jesus Christ. We should want give out of love and a desire to emulate Jesus. But the beautiful thing is that when we give, God blesses…sometimes to abundant excess…because He loves us so much!  Study the lives of those you know who are good at giving…and learn from their examples. Look around and see where you can give…not with the expectation of getting, but because it just feels that good!  Then be prepared to be blessed beyond measure…because that’s exactly how God operates!

©2016 Debbie Robus

*Giddy Up, Eunice! ~ https://www.amazon.com/Giddy-Up-Eunice-Because-Women/dp/1433643111

Daily Devotional for December 9, 2016

Luke 3:11
John told them, “If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn’t have any. If you have food, share it with someone else.”

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
    
It was so cold today that the children had to have “indoor recess” at school.  Two classes combined in Timothy’s classroom, and his teacher turned on some classic Christmas cartoons from the 1940s. The children also had the option to do art projects. Some colored, others drew…and a couple of little girls attempted to make paper snowflakes.  I showed them how to fold the paper so that they would get a complete circle or square design.  They were enthralled.

Timothy and his friend Cage wanted to make snowflakes. I told them to get some paper.  Timothy said, “I don’t have any.” Cage pulled out a notebook filled with lined paper, and he said, “It’s no problem. I have plenty. Timmy, you don’t have to worry about it…I’ve got enough for both of us.” He tore out some paper, and I showed the boys how to cut the snowflakes, which we then taped to their desks.

Almost every Friday, I am moved by the kindness or generosity of a student I encounter…their unselfish spirit and willingness to look out for their fellow students. Yes, there are those who are selfish and never think of anyone but themselves.  But there are also plenty of kids who would gladly share an extra coat.  And while it is forbidden for health reasons, lots of kids are eager to share food in the cafeteria.  No child goes hungry, but they are not to eat food offered by another child.  However, that doesn’t stop some sneaky sharing from going on!  I guess where there is a will, there’s a way!

The point is that I believe God made us for giving.  He created us with an inherent spirit to share with our neighbor.  And somewhere along the line, some of us have lost that “heart.”  We’ve grown hard around the edges, selfish and self-centered.  And our closets and drawers bulge with more than we can ever use or enjoy.  Our cupboards and pantries are laden with food, and we think nothing of eating half a can of something and tossing the rest.  Meanwhile, there are countless people right in our own back yards who are “cold” and hungry…who have huge needs that we could fill.  And it’s time we started doing so!

The challenge for all of us is to get out of our comfort zone…to open our eyes and ears…and our hearts…and to figure out who needs a little of our abundance – and get it to them!  “If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn’t have any. If you have food, share it with someone else.”  A spirit of generosity and giving is really pretty simple…so why don’t we see evidence of these more often?  As I’ve said many times, if little kids can implement these concepts, why can’t we?  Isn’t it time we did?

©2016 Debbie Robus