Can I Have Some?

As a child I remember my Dad would sometimes intentionally test my character. These tests would come in several forms. One test was the “selfishness test”. This would often occur while I was enjoying my favorite snack, meal or desert. My dad would look at me while I was totally consumed by the pleasure that I was receiving from my treat and he would simply ask…”Can I have some?” Sometimes he would ask after he had finished his share of the same item, but other times he would ask when he didn’t. He wanted to see where my hart was and if I realized that the things that I had the pleasure of enjoying usually were a direct result of the sacrifices that he made. He would go without so that I could have. All that he asked on occasion was “Can I have some?”

On several occasions, after he made the request, he had something greater in store for me than what I was giving up. For instance, if I shared “my “ chips with him, he would surprise me and let me know that he had picked up my favorite drink or cookies from the store and they were in the kitchen just waiting on me. This was great, but it was not always the case or it would not have been a true test of selfishness. If you know you are going to be immediately rewarded whenever you act unselfishly, then you may not have the proper motivation for giving. Being selfless is not about earning future rewards it is about demonstrating love.

…so there I was with the choice.

Do I give up what I have in the hopes that I might get more???? Or do I just act selflessly and share with the one who has sacrificed himself for me. Looking at it through my eyes as an adult…it is a "no brainer", but as a kid this was tough stuff.

In this season of giving, we are also faced with a society that is telling us to cut back because the times are lean. They say…Help yourself because your employer and the market are not concerned with you. Hold and save every penny you can because you may need it tomorrow. I think that this is a time where we can lose track of the BIG PICTURE. People more than ever are in need. This is not the time to hold on to everything, but it is a time to help those in need. God through His love for us has given us so much. He has put us in a position to let His Kingdom come and His will to be done on Earth. He needs us to be His ambassadors of Love. One of the ways that we express His Love is by giving. God’s principle is that as we give we will be blessed.

Prov. 24:11-12 says:
24 The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. 25 The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.

As we approach the thick of the holiday season, let us be mindful of the world outside the 4 walls in which we live. There are people that are hurting, dying and in dire need of just a portion of our excess. Why not choose to go against the tide and give to those in need this year? Go above and beyond what you have done in the past and truly allow God’s Love to be demonstrated to the World through your giving. Give your time, your talents and you $$$.

Remember, just as my Dad reminded me as a child….God is more concerned with what you keep for yourself, than what you give. The true spirit of giving is about sacrifice, for if you have not sacrificed, you have not even begun to genuinely give.

God is asking…”Can I have some?” The choice is now yours.

Be Blessed,
B