giving

Back to proverbs!
One of the things I always fought about in my marriage was money...he liked to save it...I liked to give it away...I always laughed and said ...If I teach you nothing else I am going to teach you to give...he learned that lesson a little too well!!

Proverbs today talks about generosity:
One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
   another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
 ²⁵ A generous person will prosper;
   whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
 ²⁶ People curse the one who hoards grain,
   but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
Proverbs 11:24-26

What does it mean to give?  I have learned through my money struggles in that first year...God provides...when you are bottomed out and don't know if you are going to make it...an unexpected check comes in the mail...a friend remembers 25$ they owe you...God provides...he also expects you to use it wisely and part of that wise-use is giving it away. 

King Midas was greedy...he wanted gold and asked for everything he touched turn to gold...when he touched the daughter he loved she became gold and he lost the one thing he loved more than money....that's what happens when you love that almighty dollar more than anything.  You may end up with all of the money you want but for what? you've lost your integrity, you've lost your character and all that was important to you...for something you can never take with you. 

If you have been blessed financially...I think you are given a great responsibility...a call by God to show how to spend money to others....to show others how to give and how to give money...you are called to use your money to help those that may work for you...health insurance, overtime, a good wage that will take care of a family...not more money for you but more for all of you...that may be that liberal turn of mine...but it was built on the hard work of many and it should be shared...There is a gentleman I go to church with who is an inspiration to me...his wife told me one time, he worries himself when an employee buys a new car, worrying if he can afford it and that things will remain good and prosperous so it can be paid for.

Being generous is not easy...it is not only money but our time too....to give of ourselves when we are so time starved is a biggie but that is for another day.
Go out today and give $5 to someone who needs it...pay for someone's lunch that doesn't expect it...do something nice for someone...it will make you feel good and maybe, just maybe they'll pass it on.