Do we have two shirts?

Would we give one, maybe even our best or favorite one away to someone?

Do we have two pairs of jeans?

Would we give one, maybe even our best or favorite one away to someone?

Do we have three jackets hanging in our closet?

Would we give one coat, maybe two—away—maybe even giving our prettiest one—away—to someone who desperately needs a coat?

Do we have two of anything?

Have we ever taken a stroll through our home to look, really look, to see if there are areas where we could be generous?

My sister-in-law likes to tease me and say, “Nancy, you need to pretend that you are moving, and give away half of your possessions.”  My husband agrees with his sister (as long as the “half” I am giving—away—are my things and not his).

During the past few years, our home has become a storage unit for those we love (who are in the process of moving or building) to store their things.  Here’s the amazing truth:  We could fit their entire household contents in two rooms in my basement, and these are not overly-large rooms either!

I am compelled to ponder today what we (what I) have abundance of in our lives and need to give—away—to someone who needs what we have to give.  However, before we begin the inventory list, before we take the stroll through our home, and before we begin the decision-making process, let us see what God’s Word says about generosity.

Solomon was a wealthy man!

Solomon acquired much during his kingship!

Neither of those statements denote that Solomon had more to give—away—than we have—to give away, for giving—away—comes from our hearts and not from our eyes because our eyes see and want, but our hearts see and love. God gave Solomon much wisdom. Today, let us look into the Bible to receive God’s wisdom that He wants us to receive.

Oh, good, the Bible only tells us to give our food.  If we walk over to our pantry, then most definitely we could probably fill a whole grocery bag with items to donate (to the cause, you know).

Oh, good, the Bible says that when we do give—away—some of our food to those who cannot afford to purchase their own food, then we will be blessed.  Checkmate!  Blessed!  Now we’re talking!

Clearly, we have missed the whole point, the wisdom, Solomon is attempting to help us see!

Let’s first take the stroll through our home and begin to inventory everything we have double, everything that we could give one—away—and still have one remaining for our own use.

1. Shoes.  Yep!
2. Shirts.  Yep!
3. Socks & Gloves.  Yep!
4. Jeans & Dresses.  Yep!
5. Couches & Chairs.  Yep!
6. Tables & Bed.  Yep!
7. Televisions & Other Electronics.  Yep!
8. Books & Writing Tablets & Writing Instruments.  Yep!
9. Blankets & Household Items.  Yep!
10. Bibles.  Yep!
11. Household Decorations (you know, the “what-nots”).  Yep!
12. Tools & Building Supplies.  Yep!
13. Hats & Caps & Muck Boots & . . . . Yep!
14. On & On & On & On.

We have so much!

We have so much to give—AWAY!

We even have moments in life when we need to give—AWAY—to clean out—to Downsize, but when we give for that reason, are we pleasing our eyes and our own desires? Truthfully, after my sister-in-law’s comment & after sharing my basement rooms as storage units, I have begun to see the reality, the abundance, the EVERYTHING my husband and I have collected during our thirty-five years of marriage.  So, with his blessing, I do hope to look for ways to give—away—items that I have collected that I do not really need.

Clearly, we have missed the whole point, the wisdom, Solomon is attempting to help us see!

A downsize of “our stuff” was not what Solomon was attempting to reveal when he wrote:

Yes, I do see the TRUTH of what Solomon is really saying in this wisdom he is sharing.

Let us take a stroll through our minds today to see what we possess within us that we can share with the world, with others—truths that will bless them to receive as it will also bless us to give.

1. Our Time—Do we have any time to share?  Yes, I think we do.
2. Our Money—Do we have any money to share?  Yes, I think we do.
3. Our Witness of Our Faith in God—Do we know anyone who needs to hear about Jesus?  Yes, I think we do.
4. Our Energy—Do we know anyone who needs our hands to help them?  Yes, I think we do.
5.  Our Love & Care—Do we know anyone who needs a hug, a time of listening to them talk, a walk with them through something they are dealing with, just to be present-in-the-moment with them?  Yes, I think we do.
6. Our Smile—Do we know anyone who just needs an uplifting of spirt?  Yes, I think we do.
7. Our Visit—Do we know anyone who needs a visit, who is lonely?  Yes, I think we do.
8. Our Help—Do we know anyone who needs us to take them grocery shopping OR who needs us to clean their house OR who just needs our hands to do what they can no longer do?  Yes, I think we do.
9. Our This & Our This & Our This & Our This . . . .

We have so much to Give.

We have so much to Share—With Others!

This week, I read these words:  “You do not need a great faith, but faith in a great God.”—Hudson Taylor

Thank You, God, for Your Salvation. Yes, thank You, God.

Thank You, God, for Your bountiful gifts.

What “food” can we share today?

How can we be generous today?

We are filled with a bounty, within our homes and within our bodies.

God is so Good!!!

In His Goodness, God has given us so much!

In His Goodness, God gave us His Only Son, Jesus!