The Season of Giving

Or is it? I think most people would agree that yes the Christmas season is the season of giving, but only to friends, family, and people who deserve it. I'm not so sure that was the original point to it. I look around to my friends and family, they have a lot and really don't need anything. By no means does that mean I'm not getting them anything, I defiantly am. There are so many people in need, especially this year. The economy is on a downward spiral and the unemployment rate is at an all time high. There are a lot of people in hard situations. Those of us who don't need to wonder where the money for our next meal is going to come from should count ourselves blessed.

I believe that the people with the most money are the most stingy. Preacher even preached on this last week. Giving is hard sometimes and if you do give its only a minimal amount that you would never miss. Again I think that is missing the point. The point of giving is showing you care and your actions should say "I need this, but you need it more." That is what I believe giving is. A millionaire who donates $100 isn't going to miss it, but a college student donating $20 will. So who is the better giver? I think it would be the second just because they didn't have much, but they gave it anyways.

There is more than just giving money. You should have a joyful heart when giving. It makes it more special to you and the person you are giving to. I know I am guilty of this one. Last night is a prime example of how I fall short in this circumstance. Yesterday I sold back two of my text books and got some money that I could use that to finish my Christmas shopping! Then last night at work when I was walking over to Harris Teeter to get a water there was two guys packing up a table full of toys. Now of course the first response is to walk by and don't look at them because then they wont ask for anything. I didn't even know what they were wanting, but I already had then picked out as people who were going to ask for something. Since God has a sense of humor, they both turned to me and said "HEY!!" They seemed like nice guys and were very energetic. I could tell whatever they were doing they were passionate about. So they start their little speech and I was only half paying attention until "kids in hospitals" caught my attention. Basically what they were doing was trying to donate money so they could give kids in local hospitals for Christmas toys. Now those of you who don't know, kids in hospitals is my weakness. Ever since my good friend died at age 15 from cancer I have had a soft spot for sick kids. These guys continued to talk and again I was half paying attention until they said that it only took $10 to give one kid a toy. I could spare $10. I missed the part where they said they were only $20 away from their goal and they were packing up to go home, so I was their last hope on making that goal. So I reached in my wallet to hand them a $10, but what do I find? Only $20 bills. So I hand over the $20 not thinking about it and immediately their faces lit up and they got so excited. They thought I was going to donated to the last two kids on their list. So at that point I would feel bad about not giving both kids a toy, so they met their goal and I was out $20. They kept rattling on and asking if I wanted to donate to a girl and a boy, I agreed and was on my way to get my water.

As soon as I went into HT preacher's words hit me from Sunday and I felt good about what I had done. Which was followed by feeling guilty for not wanting to help both kids originally. I wouldn't have missed $10, but I will miss the $20. I think that was the point of my little lesson. God really does have a sense of humor. I can just imagine two little kids in a hospital bed with a tiny Charlie Brown Christmas tree in their window watching The Grinch on TV. They are probably depressed they are in the hospital instead of home unwrapping gifts. Then someone will walk in with those two gifts that I sponsored for them and their little faces will light up with excitement. If I'm out $20, it will be worth it for their parents to get to see those little smile and I'm glad I could help.

So that was my lesson on giving this week. I am not trying to brag about how I am giving or anything. I just wanted to share a story with you on how I didn't want to do something, but through it I was blessed and learned an important lesson along the way.