Luke 6 : 38 NKJV:
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken
together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
“Many years ago a story was written about a woman who was waiting for the arrival of a train in the lobby of the Union Depot in Cincinnati, Ohio. This woman observed a young girl, about 15 years of age, sitting alone in the corner of the depot. This very same woman then witnessed a mother with two crying little children and an armload of packages enter the train station and sit down across from the young girl. Before the woman could get settled into her seat, the teenage girl hopped up and ran over to her. “Can I take care of your two children while you go out to get something to eat?” she asked. “You look a little tired and the next train isn’t due for a while, so why don’t you let me help you? I’m very good with children.” Startled, the mother said, “Oh, thank you! That would be wonderful.” And she left the two little girls in the care of this anonymous and generous baby-sitter.
A little later the mother returned looking relaxed and refreshed. “Thank you so much,” she said. And the young girl enthused, “Are you catching the next train?” “Yes,” she replied, “as soon as I can get everything together.” “Let me help you,” the young helper said. And then she gathered all of the lady’s packages and headed towards the train. After they boarded, she waved and said good-bye. Then she turned and went back into the train lobby and sat down.
She wasn’t seated more than ten minutes when she spotted another mother with children. So she walked over and volunteered to baby-sit once again. And after a while that mother boarded the train, and then this drifting helper found another mother and did the same thing.
By this time the observer was puzzled, so she approached the young girl and said, “I’m curious. I’ve been watching you for an hour or so, and you’ve spent the entire time helping these young mothers and their children. Why are you doing this?”
“Oh,” she said, “I was one of five children. My dad was in the army and we were always moving from one place to another. My mom got so tired carrying the packages and suitcases and caring for all of us. I remember her saying to me, ‘you are so good with children.’
“My dad went to war in Europe and he never came back, so that left my mom alone. And she just recently died, so I thought that maybe I could do something for others because she said I was so good with kids. I thought there would be a lot of mothers who would be tired here so that’s why I came to the depot! It makes me feel good. It really helps.”
That’s understanding Christianity the self-sacrificial way—and it is wonderful!”
Robert H. Schuller
Life Changers
All the while I was growing up and living in my parents home, there was always modeled for my siblings and me by my wonderful parents,… kindness and love towards other people and generosity towards those other people who were in real need of assistance. We three children were always talking about how good it is to help people who were less fortunate than were we.
Mom and Dad were always going out of their way to help and assist their fellowmen and women whenever it was possible to do so. Performing such “random acts of kindness” to other people was always something that was expected from and by all five members of our family. Joyful generosity of our time, money, energies, and efforts was expected,…without any complaint.
God loves a joyful and generous giver. He tells us very plainly to love and serve our fellow man and woman at all times. He puts no limitations or restrictions on what and how we are to give of ourselves and our resources. You see, friends, it simply is not possible to “out give” God.
It is simply impossible for our heavenly Father to bless anything that you take or anything that you create explicitly for only your own benefit. Selfishness is the very foundation for all sin. God requires you to first give if you ever intend to receive. The real secret to long-term happiness and piece of mind is for you to continually stay in a process of giving,…and
giving,…and giving some more.
If you want to double or triple your rewards and blessings from your heavenly Father, then get into the habit of sharing all of the blessings God pours out to you with others around you who are in need. Now remember that all blessing does not have to be in the form of financial rewards or money. Your personal resources are comprised of time, talents, energy, and abilities in addition to your own financial strength.
Most people just go about their daily routines without paying attention to the people who come into their lives. They do not look for or become aware of all the wants and needs of the people who enter into their physical realm or sphere of influence. You will never bless other people who you don’t care about or know exist. Stay on the look out for such needy folks. When you plainly see one or more of such people,…take the initiative…offer your personal assistance…Give Yourself Away…in the rendering of love, care, and service to them…regardless of the circumstances.
You may be the only Bible some less fortunate people ever see or read. Your actions and efforts truly do define you beyond any wards you might say. There is no denying how much you truly do care for others until you begin serving them with your own resources.
The Golden Rule always trumps any thing you might say. “Do unto others as ye would heave them do unto you” is the manner and way that God wants His children to live. Whenever you are obedient to God’s instructions, great rewards and blessings will soon be coming back into your own life. Give and it shall be given unto you!
God’s Greatest Blessings to All of You…………….