Giving

Acts 3:6 says: Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

How many of us see this act and decide to do the same when someone asks for help? Do we immediately take whoever they are by the hand and assist them? 

We are not all as wealthy as the good Samaritan. Nor do we all have the gift of healing as Peter did. Jesus has given us all such a wonderful opportunity to give of ourselves, knowing that He will continue to fill our cups, to lead us by still waters. His last act before going on the cross was to share a meal with his friends, and to serve them by washing their feet. So; what do you have to give?

A spare room? An extra seat in the car? A toy no longer in use, or a favourite toy that someone else would enjoy possibly more.

It could even get more personal than this; perhaps you have room at your table, or in your heart.

Sally Clarkson writes in the LifeGiving Home about whenever she moved to a new place, she would find another lonely soul to befriend. Have you considered there might be lonely souls in your community, needing desperately to connect, to find friendship – real face-to-face friendship, not the Facebook kind. The kind of friend you can reach out to for a hug, a favourite recipe, or a shared meal and a laugh. 

How many of us invite others to eat with us? 

I have a friend who issued a challenge for herself, to invite someone into her home for dinner once a month. My sister, one-upped her on this and decided to host a barbecue for 5 families a month, in one go. 

Now that is a party! And a lot of hard work.

The idea? To share God’s blessings in the form of our homes, our love, support and our company. This someone cannot be the same family or person every month as much as we would love to have dinner with our closest friends every month. Can you do something similar? 

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:35-40

My excuse used to be that my house was too small, I had an apartment in the city, with three of us living in a two-bedroom. We took the opportunity to invite single people, widows, grandmothers and single bachelors into our home. On the sunny days we would invite a small family to sit in our courtyard and enjoy a drink. There is always an opportunity to share hospitality and the love of Jesus. I hear in Europe gatherings in homes are common and their apartments are equally as small as what we had.

Now, in a beautiful 3 bedroom house with a lovely sized backyard. Sharing our hospitality is a skill we continue to work on.

What about if you had a skill to share? Someone comes to you asking for money. Perhaps you have none to spare… “I can teach you how to sew” The ability to sew when you have the equipment can provide an income to build off. 

The saying “give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day, but teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a lifetime” by Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu comes to mind. Isn’t that what Peter did? He had no money to give, but to be able to walk meant that man was then able to work and earn money and have a life, all in Jesus’s name. 

Having no time is a very stressful experience, though some love the feeling. If you listen to children you will find they will not allow themselves to be too busy. They tell you with big, loud voices when they have had enough and need time to rest. 

Perhaps by listening to them we will have the time to listen to the needs of those around us. To be able to give the necessary time and attention to those whom God has put in our path. How can you give someone rest? Can you cook a meal for a single parent? For the elderly next door? Can you offer to babysit for free? Can you volunteer to take a job at church that only one person seems to be doing? Or perhaps a job nobody wants to do?

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” 1 Peter 4:10-11

Everyone knows somebody who needs your time and attention. Prayer is a vital part of giving to others, to pray for our friends and our enemies. Although to pray without action is not ideal, remember if you are praying Lord help that person, check your heart. Is there anything you could be doing in the Lord’s name to help? 

“By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.” Acts 3:13

Take each moment as an opportunity to teach the love and resurrection of Jesus. These words of Peter are powerful, hold them in your heart and share them with those you are entrusted to love. Whether that be thousands as Peter did, or the few in your home and social circle. Jesus called us to love and serve. So then, let us get to work.