More Blessed to Give
by Don Henson

'Tis the season' is a commonly used phrase in December. But it's a season that carries a mixed message.

So far as I know nobody was trampled this year while storming into a store at 4:00 AM in search of super-bargains on Black Friday. But that has happened in past years, and each year in December people are warned to be careful when shopping on the big sale days leading up to (and even after) December 26.

Advertisers and retailers take advantage of willing shoppers that time of year, skillfully appealing to "the lust of the eyes." It's amazing how many things I didn't even know I needed until I saw the commercials.

Each year it seem we hear of the vandalizing or theft of toys collected for needy children and street-corner Santas beaten and robbed for the $17 or so in their donation buckets.

But we also hear heart-warming stories of some who genuinely made an effort to be thoughtful of and generous to others during the holiday season. You probably hear it described as the "spirit of Christmas." It seems too bad that people don't express more of that "spirit" the rest of the year, too.

Although we don't participate in the celebration itself, there is a valuable lesson that we can be reminded of that time of year. Speaking to elders gathered at Ephesus, Paul reminded them, "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'" (Acts 20:35).

Solomon made a similar observation: "There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself" (Proverbs 11:24-25).

Solomon makes the point that one of the "natural laws" of life is that when we are generous and thoughtful, willing to share with others, we receive much more in return than we give. In fact Jesus said the same thing even more emphatically in Luke 6:38. "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

The first part of the verse describes how God gives. He fills the container, presses it down and shakes it, then adds even more until it's running over. You certainly can't call God stingy - He has thoughtfully given us so many gifts, pleasures and opportunities that enrich our lives. Even "simple things" like flavors, colors, textures, laughter and music. Not to mention His generosity in sacrificing for us His only Son so that we can have the hope of salvation.

In the second half of this verse Jesus makes the point that the same measure we use to give will be used in giving to us. So we can each ask ourselves what measure we use when we give. Is it by the teaspoonful? By the gallon? A barrel? A tanker truck?

Although we enjoy buying something special for others when we have the opportunity, we can't always give expensive gifts and toys. We can, however, all be generous in giving what is most important.

One of the best ways to establish and strengthen a personal relationship is by being generous in our care and concern for one another. The best and most important gifts are those that we can all be generous in giving: time, support, encouragement, respect, empathy, forgiveness….

There are so many scriptures that highlight the importance of being generous. One more to consider for now is Luke 6:35 where Jesus says: "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High."

Generosity is a family trait. We learn it from our Father. It's one of the many character traits we are to become skilled in that will prepare us to be part of His family, sons of the Most High. We are so richly blessed as we learn to give - in every season.