Giving Til It Hurts  

Giving Til It Hurts

To the right of my computer there is a glass jar with pens in it. Well, there’s supposed to be pens in it. There are people in my house who like removing these pens and putting them in places where they will never be seen again.

Pens are only one thing I can never find. I can also never find a stapler, a calculator, spoons, remotes. Quite honestly, anything that I do not tie down or lock up will be misplaced by a member of my family.

“Dad, can I borrow your calculator?” At this request, my brain immediately begins doing calculations. I will need this calculator soon. This is the only calculator left that anyone can find. If I give them this calculator, I will never see it again.

“NO!” Is my definitive answer. “This is the last one and I’m keeping it!”

When people ask for things, it’s easy to find all the reasons why you shouldn’t give them what they want. They won’t use it right. They won’t appreciate it. They’ll lose it or destroy it. It’s mine! On and on the list of justifications go. Some of them might even be true!

There are a lot of people asking us for our time, resources, energy, and money. If we gave to all of them, we’d run out of stuff! Who should we give to and who should we not?

Jesus Christ gave a simple answer:

“Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.”
–Luke 6:30

Immediately our brains revolt: There’s no way we can do that! That doesn’t even make sense! I’ll end up poor. Everyone will take advantage of me if I do that.

All these things may be true, and yet, these are the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The motivation for giving like this is The Gospel.

The Gospel tells of God’s great love toward us that sent His Son to die for us while we were yet sinners. God gave His Son for unthankful people who didn’t use His Son very wisely. Many people take advantage of God’s grace, mercy, and love. Yet God continues to show grace, mercy, and love.

I know there are many logical reasons not to give to everyone who asks of you. There is one massively logical reason to give though: we desperately need God to continue to graciously give to us. Without His gracious gifts, we are nothing and have nothing. Jesus Christ says later in Luke 6:

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.–Luke 6:35-36

Grace and mercy are really great when we get them. What is difficult is to be gracious and merciful to those who take and ruin our stuff.

God’s giving is our motivation to give. If you are grateful for God’s gifts to you; then show that same love by giving to those who ask of you.

Prayer Requests:

Pray for ears that hear the needs of those around you.

Pray for the resources to meet those needs and bear one another’s burdens.

Pray for the faith to help you show grace to those around you.

Pray for an increased understanding and appreciation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.