Spread the Love

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

LUKE 6:38

WHEN HAS SOMEONE unexpectedly given you a gift? What was your first thought? Maybe, Wow—that was nice! I didn’t do anything to deserve this!

Part of our faith as Christians is to give generously to others, especially to people in need. Jesus didn’t want us to be tied to our possessions and money. In fact, he told the people who wanted to be his followers to give up all they had and come with him. Some did—but others couldn’t, so they just walked away.

It’s easy to get attached to things—our favorite toys, money, special clothes. But material things aren’t what matter; in the end, God’s love is all that matters. And we get to experience that love and share it with others when we have generous hearts.

Giving often doesn’t require much from us, but the gift we give may make a huge difference to the person who receives it. Best of all, when we’re generous toward our friends and neighbors, we’re sharing God’s love with them. And our gifts may be in many forms—clothes we’ve outgrown, money for a local shelter, or friendship for the lonely. Every one of us has something to give. By following Jesus’ command to love our neighbors, we can learn to let go of our need for things and give generously from the heart.

DO

Go outside and stand facing one direction. What do you see that’s a gift from God? Now turn slowly in a circle, looking around you as you move. What other gifts from God do you see?

We’re literally surrounded by God’s gifts. He gives us a great example to follow as we consider ways we can be generous with others.

PRAY

Dear God,

Thank you for being so generous and kind to me. Please help me as I learn to be generous and kind to others through my thoughts, actions, and words. Amen.

READ

Proverbs 11:25; James 1:27