We Were Young & Frightened

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I had just broken the news to Lorie that our five-figure retirement account was stolen. We were young and it was a good start to our “nest egg” for the future. 

What made us cry was not the loss; we trusted God and prayed for the thief. It was our three-year old bringing her piggy bank to us in hopes it would help.

She overheard our conversation and taught us an unforgettable lesson about generosity: It reveals our love for others. Rom. 8:32 captures this, doesn’t it?

I think it’s true that “you make a living by what you get; but you make a life by what you give.”

Reminds me of the young boy who volunteered to give his blood to one in need.

The nurse who comforted him soon realized he wasn’t crying because of discomfort he was wondering when he would die. He was prepared to give it all.

Generosity reflects the quality of the love within us.

It’s just like Jesus to give his life away so others can be rich. Have you ever really thought about (2 Cor. 8:9)?

Young people can teach us older ones an awful lot about what generosity is and does.

When we were told by the doctors and professionals that we should abort our child at three months, we were very young in our faith, and it was frightening.

We chose to trust God, waiting six grueling months for this “severely deformed” and “profoundly mentally handicapped” child to be introduced to us.

So did a room full of doctors, technicians and equipment on delivery day. What happened next, is also unforgettable.

“Congratulations, you have a healthy boy!”

No deformity.

No mental handicap.

No forgetting that God did that.

Lorie and I rejoiced while the room quietly cleared. We dedicated our newborn son to God – what would you have done?

Generosity reciprocates. You give because you’ve been given so much. Generosity is like paying your “thank you” forward and benefits your family the most.

And when we’re generous we put the gospel on display (Eph. 2:8-10). It rebukes the selfish and self-centered side of our sin nature and gives what’s needed not deserved.

But there’s another side to generosity. For some, it’s the harder part:

Receiving it from others and from God. It can be humbling; it can also be hurtful.

Gifts must be received before they can be enjoyed. Left unopened, they do us no good.

Ingratitude is arguably the most painful part of generosity. Have you ever given to an unthankful soul who complains about some detail while ignorant of the cost. 

This song I found might help explain it. Can you see Jesus like this?

I suppose there’s lots of lessons we learn when we contemplate how generous others have been toward us. How much more when we think about Jesus?

What lesson have or are you learning about generosity? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Reply here or send me an email at [email protected]

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