The Gift of Giving

I have thought a lot about what I want to be said of me when I am no longer on this earth.  There are many things that would be nice. But summing it up in a nutshell, I would love for people to say, "She was a true gift." As pastor's wives, we have great opportunities all the time to be a gift. We don't even have to go looking for them, for they present themselves each day. One way we can be a gift to others is by giving.  

Please turn with me to 2 Corinthians 8:1-15.  I'd like you to read it and then come back to finish the rest of this article.  Ready, set, go!

Welcome back!  As you can see by what you just read, the people of Macedonia were not in a smooth sailing, problem free territory.  The Bible says they went through trouble and hard times, yet they GAVE.  They gave not only in times of abundance, but also in times of lack.  

God will test you time and again in the area of giving.  I've learned as I obey, He blows my mind!   Years ago I took some church women on a retreat.  Before we left my husband had told me, "Use the cash you have in your purse but do not take anything out of the ATM or write a check -- there's nothing there until payday."  When he said this, I realized I hadn't gotten groceries for the week. I was concerned not only about cooking our family's meals, but also having something for the kid's school lunches since we were not getting paid for another week.  I went to the retreat, trying not to think too hard about this.  Of course, I never said a word to anyone about it. 

When we got in the first service of the retreat, they took an offering and I gave some of the cash out of my purse. On the second evening of the retreat they took an offering again.  I didn't think I had anything to give because I only had some money left in my purse with which to purchase meals on the trip. Plus, I couldn't write a check.   While sitting there, God spoke to me and said, "Empty out all the money in your purse and put it in the offering."  I did not want to do that.  I knew I'd be there two more days and honestly didn't want to fast!   I also never ask people for money and I would not discuss what the Lord had told me privately. Therefore, I knew this would not be an option.  I said, "God I already paid to get into this retreat and I already gave an offering yesterday. And besides, this is all I have in my purse."  The Lord said, "What a coincidence because that's all I asked you for!"  Trusting Him, I took everything out of my purse (every last penny) and put it in the offering.

I didn't go out to eat with the women after the service. I had no money and was not about to ask them for some!  It was easy to get out of going as the hour was late and I needed sleep. So I went back to my room.  At about 1:00 am, one of them knocked on the door. She said they were gathered in a room down the hall and had some questions about the service earlier that evening.  Some things had taken place that they didn't understand. They were troubled by some things the speaker said and wanted clarification. I got my robe on, went down the hall, and ministered to them. I answered their questions for about an hour.  Then I prayed with them and went back to bed. 

The next morning I woke up and started to walk into the bathroom when I noticed that an envelope had been shoved underneath the hotel room door.   I opened it and found a large amount of cash contained inside.  The note read:  "You give and give, and help us so many times, expecting nothing.  Last night after you ministered to us in the room, for some reason we just felt God speak to us to take up an offering for you, so right there in the hotel room, we passed a bag and took up an offering.  This is from us, to you, with love, for always giving of yourself and being there for us."  Imagine my surprise that not only was there enough for me to eat meals the rest of the retreat, but also enough for groceries for the week, lunch money for the kids, and some other extras!   I tell  you, it was a supernatural thing that He spoke to those ladies because there is no other way they could have known the need.

We are here to give our lives as a gift to others. These ladies were a gift to me. What about when we feel others don't deserve it?  That's what we're going to talk about next month. Stay tuned.