Really?  Is it?  Growing up I heard this line often, but thought it was just an excuse my parents gave because they could not afford to purchase us many presents.  Let me tell you, unwrapping socks did not make receiving very blessed, so it must be true, thought my childhood mind.

Although my parents did not have much, they would give the shirt off their backs, so to speak.  Sometimes they were taken advantage of, but they let it roll off their shoulders.  When I asked them about this, they said that it was because they did their part, giving to those who needed, and that what the recipient did with it was up to them and God.

Recently, I was approached by a friend whose family combines funds, what they are able, and takes turns giving the treasure to someone who is in need.  Whomever’s turn it is gets to pick the recipient and bless that person or family.  This friend was wondering if I knew of anyone who might be in need, as it seemed I was more attuned to those that might need help.  This was a nice compliment, however, I was stuck!  I could not think of anyone right away, and was reprimanding myself that I had become so closed into myself and my family that I was not aware of the needs around me.  In addition to not knowing many that might be in need, I did the very thing that I was afraid others would do to me.

When Tripp was going through chemotherapy someone gifted us an amount of money to be used for something fun.  These things are very visible and I am always afraid that someone is going to judge me.  Many, many people, through fundraisers, T-shirt sales, and other monetary gifts helped fill an account to help pay for medical bills, and any other bills that were incurred due to time off for hospital visits, prescription costs, meals on the road, etc.  They do not know about the gift designated towards fun, and they don’t need to know, however, then I should not be afraid of being judged.  I started thinking of someone in need, but started going through reasons why that person did not deserve help.  Things such as, “they don’t make wise choices” or “they are going to use it for ill gain” or “there is someone else that might need it more”.  I started judging the way that I did not want to be judged.

Ultimately, God put in my mind someone that might need assistance, and I was able to move past judgement.  By saying that is is more blessed to give than receive, it is not just the physical act of giving someone something, but the lessons that God teaches through the process.  Proverbs 18:16 states that “A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.”  Everything we have is not ours; when we open up our heart to give, of our time, or agendas or our money, our heart door is open to receive in God’s presence.  And His presence you will know!

True giving is giving without expecting anything in return.  True giving is giving even when it hurts.  True giving is giving because you have allowed God to use you to bless someone else.  “If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing” (I Corinthians 13:3). God asks us to give according to what we are able.  It is easy to say, “someone else has more than I do, they can contribute” or “I need every penny right now” however God will take even the penny’s- and He will multiply them many times over.