Shoba’s Corner: The Grace of Giving
When I decided to write about ‘giving’ I wrote down all the verses I I could find in the Bible about the topic. From them I learnt that we could give of our money, our time and what we no longer need or use.
Jesus talks of the importance of giving and a lifestyle of generosity.
If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and GIVE to the poor, you will have treasure in heaven. Matthew 19:21, NIV
As a young mother with very little time for yourself, are you struggling over how you could fit in giving to your already busy schedule? Or maybe you are at university and there is no time or money to spare! Or maybe you are in a season where you no longer work or earn. Read and meditate on the Bible verses here and let them lead you to your decision.
Be on your guard against all types of greed: a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Luke 12:15b NIV
Starting each day with the thought of doing something for somebody else will turn us away from greed. We can fight greed with generosity. -Joyce Meyer
1. GIVING AWAY EVERYTHING WE NO LONGER NEED / USE
Lita’s son Liam had outgrown the small guitar she had bought him in Primary school. As she was clearing up and putting aside unused items from around the house, she found this. She got it restrung, polished it and gave it to the local thrift shop along with a bag of Leanna’s baby clothes and some soft toys. She made sure they were all washed and in good condition.
The following year in the Christmas pageant she was delighted when little Sam walked up to the stage with the very same guitar she had donated. Sam’s excited mother was applauding her son in the audience. After the performance Lita walked up to Karen. She spotted Karen’s baby with one of the soft toys too!
An old student of our school recently contacted me with her box of books. “I have read them all and enjoyed my time with them,” said Olivia. “I would love to pass them on to other children.” The books gladdened the hearts of many children who walked away with a precious book to read over the school holidays!
What item in your house could you give away? It may be something someone needs desperately. In fact it may just be someone’s dream.
2. GIVING OF OUR TIME
A couple of weeks back, Yvonne popped over with fresh Goan (Goa is a city in India, famous for this fare!) prawn curry and the tastiest ever cutlets! She gave of her time and energy to spoil us with her love and care. Nina spent time each weekend baking a cake. She took it with her to church. As God led her, she would give it away- to a precious friend who was grieving the loss of her husband, to a smart college student who had finished with a great score or to a new family who had just arrived from Nigeria.
Adela was good at knitting. She spent time knitting booties for babies in the neighborhood. At church she ran free sessions for teenagers to teach them what she knew best!
Here are some ideas:
Writing an exam for a blind student,
Helping sort out things at a thrift store
Babysitting a toddler and giving the parents a much-needed evening out
Helping clean the church
Mowing the church lawn
Tidying up the nursery
Teaching choruses at Sunday school
Weeding a neighbor’s garden
Running errands for the elderly
Where and how could you give of your time this week? You may be an answer to someone’s prayer.
3. GIVING AWAY MONEY
[If your gift is contributing to the needs of others]……then give generously. Romans 12:8 NIV
Tithe
The dictionary meaning for tithe is one tenth of annual produce or earnings.
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there maybe food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Malachi 3:10 NIV
Calling his disciples to him Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They gave out of their wealth: but she out of her poverty, put in EVERYTHING- all she had to live on. Mark 12:43 and 44 NIV
As we meditate on these verses may God guide us to plan and give our tithes.
One of the wedding gifts Ranjit and I received was a small steel box with the word TITHE engraved on it. It was a gift from an elderly neighbor. He came over with the gift and told us to start the discipline right away and to always keep at it. I am so grateful for his wise words.
Giving to the poor
Share with God’s people who are in need. Romans 12:13a
A few practical suggestions:
After COVID and companies closing down, we see many people in need, asking for help throughout the world.
· Buying them a meal
· Keeping some breakfast bars in the car to give away
· Giving away a *Christmas jar during Christmas.
· Making and giving away sandwiches as a family.
*The Christmas Jar is an empty jar where everyone in the family drops in spare change throughout the year. By the time Christmas rolls around the jar is full of notes and spare coins. Then on Christmas Eve as a family you decide who you can give it to. Watch the Christmas Jar movie and be inspired to start this tradition!
Contributing to an established charity organization
Talk to your pastor or church friends or a mentor about doing this. Sign up to contribute regularly. Sometimes this may call for a lifestyle change. We may have to cut down on some spending to make it happen.
You could sponsor a child.
You could make a one-time donation.
You could be a foster parent
We’d love to here from you! Comment below with unique ways you’ve found to give to others.