Have You Made Your Give-A-Way List Yet?

Acts 20:35 - “...Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

We always hear about what it is that someone wants. Some want a new car, a bigger house, a student loan paid off, and the list could go on forever.

Would you like a dollar for every time you heard someone say they wanted to win the lottery?

• If You Don’t Give What You Have, You Won’t Give…  

Let me explain what I mean by that statement. If you say you will help so and so if you win the lottery, or you say you will give to the church if you win the lottery. Well, this is what I ask. “Are you giving to them now?”

If you say, "No" then guess what? I don’t believe you will give to them if you win the lottery.

Why do I say that? It is because we are creatures of habit. We will do what we have always been doing. If you don’t help people out with the little bit that you possess now you are not going to help them if you possess more. 

• What Jesus Didn’t Say 

Jesus didn’t say, “It is more blessed to give when you have an abundance.” He said, “It was more blessed to give than to receive.”

We are to give from what we already have. God has blessed us all. If you don’t believe you are rich right now I suggest that you travel to a third world country and see for yourself.
 
Do you have running water or electricity in your house? I stayed at a missionary's house in Uganda and they only received electricity every other day. 

• Unprepared When I Was In Peru 

In 2005 while traveling in Peru on a mission trip I saw a totally naked man begging for a handout. I was on a bus at the time and no way to stop and help him. I made a promise to God right then if I ever saw another totally naked person begging I would help them. 

• Promise Kept In Liberia

In 2011 I was in Liberia on another mission trip and I was sitting in a vehicle while others in our party were buying supplies. I saw a man walking down the street in Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia totally naked. The promise I made in Peru immediately came to my mind.

I always carried under clothes and socks in my computer backpack in case my luggage was lost on a trip. If you have travelled much you will learn this lesson quickly. Always carry extra under clothes with you when you travel and especially if you are going overseas.

I pulled out a pair of boxer shorts and a T-shirt from my bag. I approached the man holding out the clothes and he accepted them. I thanked God for allowing me to keep my promise that I made six years earlier. 

• Jesus' Promise Is True 

It truly is “more blessed to give than to receive.” So let me ask you a question, “What is on your give-a-way list?”

Certainly you have something to give to others. Certainly you have something in your home that you are not using that could be a blessing in someone else's life. So, why not give it and receive a blessing that comes with giving it away?

If you are a coach can you find one thing your athletes did to receive a compliment from you today?

If you are a boss can you find one thing your employee did to receive a compliment from you today?

Do you realize how far an "at a boy, way to hustle or good job" can go? 

Believe this passage of scripture, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
 
So start being a giver today, which in turn will make you a receiver. You definitely will not regret it. 

Think on This:

Some of the greatest gifts are not monetary ones. If you have lost a loved one how much money would you give to have 10 minutes with them?
 
Time we all have time and there are others that could use some of our time.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word ​