The Power of Giving: Giving Heals Us

As I sit in my office, I notice models of cars and motorcycles, along with a few gift books and knick-knacks lining the shelf. Each of these items holds memories for me, collected over my 45 years of ministry. The goofiest gift—and the one I can't help but share the story about—is my "wild moose" coffee cup. It's a large porcelain cup that looks like a bull moose crashed through it, with its head and antlers sticking out one side and its legs sprawled out the other. Flashy, quirky, and definitely not something my wife would permit in our house, it makes me smile every time I see it.

 

The cup was given to me by a good friend and her husband, who accompanied me on a church youth ski trip to Colorado many years ago. It was late in the day, and several people were resting along the trail. My two friends were there, and as I glanced over at them, they burst into laughter, waving their arms and shouting. I was a novice skier, so I couldn't really look around, but I eventually heard two men calling out to me from behind. When I turned to see the commotion, I found myself face-to-face with a bull moose charging down the hill right behind me, its eyes glaring and nostrils flaring. I stumbled out of the way as the two trailkeepers yelled at the moose, attempting to scare it off the path. I quickly moved as far to the side as I could and joined my friends, who were laughing hysterically at the sight of their nearly trampled pastor. Of course, I lived to tell the story, and the cup they gave me has a special place in my office; it reminds me of a wild time on the slopes of Colorado and, even more importantly, of a cherished memory with two good friends.

 

You might have something like this in your home or office: a memento from a friend that evokes fond memories from the past. The gift is wonderful, of course, but the shared experience it reminds us of is even better! Gifts have that ability, don't they? Sometimes a gift can help someone through a tough time or fulfill a need; other times, a gift is simply a reminder of a significant moment in your life.

 

Jesus wanted us to be a 'giving' people! Sometimes, individuals need their physical needs met; at other times, they may require a pat on the back, a shared meal, or a private conversation about what's troubling them. Regardless of the need, making an effort to address someone's needs can have a real impact. Jesus spoke about the act of 'giving' as an expression of faith: "Give to everyone who asks of you, and if they take away what is yours, do not demand it back. Just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way. Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:30-38

 

Jesus, during his Sermon on the Mount, emphasized that his followers should practice generosity and grace in their relationships with others—not because people are inherently good, but to help them and possibly guide them to faith. When we do this, not only are others supported, but there's a real chance that you will receive some form of gift in return from God himself. It may seem counterintuitive, but the old saying, "It is better to give than to receive," remains true. Give generously and selflessly, and experience the blessings of a life lived in obedience to God!

 

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