“For we must always cherish the words of our Lord Jesus, who taught, Giving brings a far greater blessing than receiving.”
This is what Jesus taught. It’s something I have just started to walk in. Understanding that it’s just better to give than to recieve.
I gave my water bottle away to a man named Ruben. He asked me if he could have it after he seen me drink from it. He said wow is that full of water? I said “yes.” I could tell he hadn’t seen a water bottle like mine before. My water bottle was kinda large, it could hold 64oz/1lt. I would drink around 4 a day. I loved having it. There have been so many times where I gave all the local children cold water from my bottle. Or random people who would be thirsty. When Ruben asked me if he could have it, I paused for moment and thought. I realized “yeah of course he could have it. I could probably get another one once I got back to the states and he would be blessed.” It was an easy yes. I I Him my bottle and one of his friends asked me for an American dollar bill. I gave him a dollar, and waved my new friend and his new water bottle goodbye. It was a little harder to stay hydrated for me. Since I didn’t have a water bottle I would just by a normal bottle of water and re-use the bottle. Later on that week, a friend surprised me with a brand new water bottle! It was even better and bigger than the one I gave away. I thought to myself wow I don’t deserve this (and I cried a little).
Fast forward another week. I’m at the local grocery store and I’m talking to a man named D about Jesus. He told me he really saw a difference in me and he wanted to learn more about what made me different. I told him where I lived and that I wasn’t sure how else I could see him again. He said he would come by my home on Sunday. That Sunday he didn’t show. But that Monday he showed up at the gate. He told me he had to walk 10 miles one way to get to me. He wanted to know more about God and how to become a man of God.
I shared with him who God says a man is. I told him about the honor and integrity God calls us to live by. He said he had 6 children and no wife. That he struggled with lust and chasing after women. But he really wanted change. He wanted to be a man of God. I asked him if he could read and if he had a bible. He could read but didn’t have a bible. I thought for a moment about giving him mine. My bible was given to me by a friend. I didn’t pay for it, I didn’t even work for it. It was a gift. So why not re-gift? I told him to stay here, while I run inside and grab something. I ran to my room and grabbed my bible. I wanted him to have it, because 1) it’s the Word of God and he wants it. 2) I’m from the United States of America, I can easily get another bible. I handed my bible over to him and he was almost in tears. He told me I have no idea what I have just done for his life. We said our goodbyes and he walked home.
A few days later I recieved a new big study bible. It was my last day in Africa and guess who came to say goodbye. It was D! He said he must say goodbye to me and give me thanks for this bible. I asked him if he understood the bible. He said most things he understood but some things confused him. I thought to myself “why don’t I give him this new study bible I got!” So I ran to my room grabbed my study bible and traded him. He was so happy. Then we said our goodbyes again. But this time it was a little harder because we weren’t sure if we would see each other again.
Fast forward a day and I’m at the airport. I meet a man named Suma. He knows about Jesus but gues what he doesn’t have a bible. So I gave him mine and blessed him. It was getting pretty easy now. Then one of our ministry host picks me up from the airport. He asks me how he could best serve me. I thought about it, then told him I don’t have a bible. The next day he gives me a brand new bible. Its crazy.
I was given a sweet pair of adidas shoes. They were a blend of indoor cleats and daily shoes. I loved them, I was always ready to play soccer wherever I went. Well I met this young man who was incredibly talented at soccer. I thought to myself he needs these shoes more than I do. So I gave him my shoes. He oved them and will probably use them more than me. Then I got to Singapore last week and my friend said “hey do you still have your soccer shoes? We are gonna play on Sunday.” I said “no I gave them away.” He thought it was crazy that I would do that. But then he told me, we are going to buy you new shoes today. He takes me to the store and blesses me with the best pair of shoes in the store! Once again I’m thinking “God I don’t deserve this.”(I cried a little this time too.)
So what I’m learning is that everything I “have” is a gift and it’s not for me to keep forever. But instead to hold loosely and always be ready to give it away. This includes everything not just possessions. This holiday season I want to give more than I receive. I want to be a man who gives freely without wanting anything in return. As we look at our lives this year let’s ask ourselves. Did we give more or did we receive more. Specially with Christmas coming around the corner. Jesus came and gave everything to us. I’m gonna do all I can to give. Not because I keep getting things back. Simply because I want to give this to you. Let’s be a people who give. Let’s be a people who give without expecting anything in return. God defines “love” as giving. John 3:16 “For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE His only son. That whover believes in Him will not die but have eternal life.” It’s all about giving.
Thank you guys for all you have done. Be blessed this Christmas, love you 🙂
