by ANNIE WESCHE
My mother’s favorite adornment to her clothing was a bright sparkling pin that simply said the word “JESUS”. It moved from coat to blazer to blouse, frequently on whatever she was wearing out, and professing the name of the One who was her highest treasure.
One day, a woman came into the little consignment shop where she was working and, while standing at the register, looked at Mum’s pin and gasped, “Oh, that is the most beautiful pin! Where did you find that? I’ve never seen one like it!” Without a moment’s hesitation, Mum took it from her own blouse and pinned it on the woman’s, “Here, I want you to have it!” The woman’s eyes instantly welled with tears at such unhesitating generosity, and she declared, “What? No, I can’t take your pin!” But my dear mum insisted, saying with a bright smile, “You don’t have to take it, I’m giving it to you!”
I remember when she came home that day without her radiant pin. Though I could sense her sadness at no longer having it, I could see that she was far more blessed by the great joy of giving her beautiful pin to that woman.
That very next week, my mum processed an abundance of new items coming into the consignment shop. As she was sorting things, she lifted something off the counter to behold underneath a brand new pin exactly like the one she had given away. Joy leapt within that her loving Father had returned to her what she had given away! She purchased it and once more pinned it to her blouse. She basked in the knowledge that now both of them were bearing His Name on their lapel, and together they had shared in the beauty and blessings of generosity.
. . .
Growing up, my mum frequently said to me, “You can never out-give the Lord!” She enthusiastically exhorted me with this truth, while faithfully modeling it in her own life. She knew that our loving heavenly Father went far beyond meeting our basic needs, delighting to give His children good gifts. And I was a witness to this solid confidence in her life. She would give money when others had need — money that was often hard to give because of her own lean purse. But soon after giving it, those funds would return to her in some way — from another generous person prompted by the Lord to give or the odd side job God would provide. Beyond physical things, she was also generous with her time, prayers, encouragement, and help. She didn’t give for what she would receive in return. She gave as unto the Lord and for the blessing of the one receiving — which was reward enough. But she also knew that she served a generous heavenly Father who would faithfully care for her needs and bless her in ways that far surpassed whatever she gave.
When I’ve taken my own steps of faith-led obedience to be generous, the Lord has never failed to meet my needs and has always given me the blessing of joy in the giving. And while I have need for the Lord to increase the beauty of generosity in my own heart and life, I know that His indwelling Life is able to make all grace abound for such glad obedience and sacrifice. We can never exhaust His supply!
So let us remember the Abundance of what we Have been given
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16).
“By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature…” (2 Pet. 1:4).
“He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power” (Is. 40:29 NASB).
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Prov. 2:6).
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work … You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God” (2 Cor. 9:8, 11 ESV).
“Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8).
Let us remember His Promised blessings When we give
“You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand” (Deut. 15:10).
“…And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35).
“Give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38).
And let us determine the Posture of our heart
“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7 NASB).
. . .
As we daily behold our Lord Jesus, His life shines with a beautiful generosity that has no equal! And this beauty will radiate from our lives and His joy will flourish within us when we give generously, as He has done for us. Our gratitude and steadfast meditation upon all that we have been given in Him will be endless fuel for our own cheerful giving — giving that delights the heart of our God!
