Gift of Giving

What would you do if you were independently wealthy and had full control over the way your money was used?

This is something I have given a lot of thought to because I see how much need there is all around me and I don't have the financial resources to meet most of those needs, nor do I have full control over the purse strings.

And, humanly speaking, I could use some help sometimes too (I think we all could when our lives get chaotic)!  I think I would probably start by hiring someone to help periodically with the housework and I would probably pay people to maintain the outside of our home also to help my husband.  I would make sure money was put away for our childrens' education with some to help them get a start in life while they are getting on their feet and established in a career. 

But my true desire is to help as many other people as I can.   My Dad was a giver - time, gifts, money, physical help, etc.  And I want to be to others what my Dad was to so many!  It's a gift to be able to give of your resources to people who need what you have to give.  

I have a family that needs me so I give most of my time to them but I give time to others when I can find it to give.

I like to bake so whenever I do, I share with my neighbors.

I take gospel tracts with me when I go grocery shopping and leave them on various shelves to hopefully give someone hope and a future. 

I give out smiles and hugs wherever I see they are needed.

We give to missionaries around the world but if I had the financial resources to, I would also give substantially to anyone the Lord laid on my heart.

I might start with my sister who was laid off from her job of 26 years and has struggled to find new employment.   She is in the process of selling her condo and has moved in to our childhood home with our Mom.  She is on unemployment for now but that won't last forever.   If I could, I would give her enough money to help her through a few months of bills or I would open an interest bearing account in her name and put money in to it for her to use as she had needs.

I would help my friend at the thrift store who has a deficit of $600 a month because of the reduction of her hours at work and is in danger of losing her home.

I have a long list of people with genuine financial needs that I would meet in a heartbeat if I had the resources. 

The most important thing I give though is prayer.  I spend a LOT of time praying for the needs of my friends and family and for our neighbors, our leaders and for the people impacted by disasters - natural or otherwise.  I pray for the salvation of souls - in our neighborhood and around the world.  Prayer is my vast resource.  Because I know the One who has unlimited resources and who is a miracle worker and the source of all things!  

It's nice to think about what I would do if I suddenly came in to millions of dollars of extra cash to do with what I want.  But I don't need money to help people - money only goes so far and then it's gone.  God has the tools and resources to provide for all our needs forever.  His help never runs out!  So the most valuable gift I can give is prayer.  

And prayer is the most valuable gift you can give too.  If you have money, be generous with it because God gave you that money so you could use it to help people for His glory.  If you don't have the financial resources,  look for other ways you can give - love, time, food, a listening ear, and most importantly,  prayer.