Acts 20:35 “…remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Do you ever think about how you posture yourself for the day? I whispered a quick prayer the other morning before I left for my meeting. “Lord, please change my mindset from going to get to going to give.” I prayed this even though I wasn’t convinced I had anything to offer.
When I arrived, people were already connecting. I wasn’t sure what to do, but then I spotted a young teenage boy sitting off by himself. I left the adults and went over to him and struck up a conversation. He seemed pleased that an adult other than his mother (who was busy talking to someone) noticed him. We chatted until the meeting began when a woman I barely know approached me and asked if I could give her a ride home. Interesting. I said, “Sure, but I have to stop at Lowe’s on the way.”
“No problem,” she said, “I need to go to Lowe’s, too!”
The meeting ended and we headed for the store. As we waited to check out, one of the cashiers motioned for me to come to her open register. Her nametag said Rosa. As she checked my items, Rosa and I got into a brief conversation. Then she made a comment about enjoying the day because we never know when it might be our last.
Although uncharacteristic for me, I asked, “Do you know where you’re going if it is?” Immediately she said she didn’t know, that she used to go to church, but had fallen away. I told her she could be sure through Jesus. That he loved her enough to have me there at that very moment to tell her. Then I assured her that I would be praying for her.
It had been quite a morning. I believe it was because I asked God to help me be a giver instead of a taker. Jesus said it is more blessed to give than receive. It’s a mindset he wants us to cultivate. But it’s rare. In fact, if we go somewhere with the intention of giving more than getting, we’ll probably be different from most everyone else in the room. And yet, I believe we’ll leave the most satisfied.
So how’s your posturing?