‘They gave themselves first to the
Lord…then to us.’ 2 Corinthians 8:5
What do people usually value more than your
money? You! Think about it. What takes greater effort - writing a cheque or
giving of your time and energy? Which shows a greater level of commitment? Take
a moment and recall the people who’ve had the greatest impact on you: a teacher
who helped you realise you could think, learn and achieve; a parent who loved
you, sacrificed for you and gave you the gift of self-worth; a mentor who
painted a picture of your future then equipped and challenged you to reach for
it. Next to your salvation, what could be greater? Ponder these words: ‘When
you come to look back on all that you have done in life, you will get more
satisfaction from the pleasure you brought to other people’s lives than from
the times you outdid and defeated them.’ Too many of us see giving as more than
just an act of love - we see it as a transaction - we only give to get! Sir Wilfred T. Grenfell said, ‘It is obvious that man is himself a traveller; that his purpose in this world is not “to have and to hold,” but “to give and to serve”. There can be no other meaning.’ It’s so easy to live only for yourself. In fact, it’s one of our most basic instincts - one we have to overcome each day. But we can take another path - to be generous with our love and our time. When you give those gifts, you’re being as generous as you can be!
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