We are familiar with the verses that tell us, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35) and “God loves a cheerful giver”. (II Corinthians 9:7) We hear them whenever there is a fund raising drive by a television evangelist (every telecast) or when the sermon in our local church focuses on tithes and offerings. God’s definition of giving goes far beyond material possessions. God wants us to also give of ourselves. It is a key part of loving Him and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, “You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving”.
Two of the most valuable things we have to give others are our time and our full attention. God expects us to set aside some of our time and pay full attention to Him in our worship, prayer and devotional study of His word. He also expects us to give time and attention to those we love. Our spouse and our children hunger for them. It is the best investment we can make in our family’s well being. God also expects us to give our time and attention to our brothers and sisters in Christ and to strangers who are in need. Whenever I appear to struggle there is almost always someone who offers to help me and whether I accept their help or not, I am always so grateful that they took time out of their busy day to take an interest in my need. A few days ago a little girl probably nine or ten years old was helping her mother put their groceries on the conveyor ahead of me. When everything was on the belt she found a divider and put it on the belt to separate their purchases from mine. I thanked her for doing that and she immediate asked if she could help me. I accepted her offer and thanked her for her help. I had only a few items and could have handled it myself, but I appreciated her concern and I wanted to give her the satisfaction of helping a stranger.
Another valuable gift we can give to others is our intercessory prayer, asking God to do for them what we cannot do. “But Peter said, ‘I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!’” (Acts 3:6) Whether it is for healing, protection, salvation or another need our prayer for them is more valuable than silver or gold.
God expects us to give ourselves to Him and to others because He first gave Himself for us. As Jesus hung on the cross He became the first blood donor giving not just a pint to extend someone’s mortal life, but giving every drop to provide eternal life to all who believe. In 1954, thirteen years before the first heart transplant operation, I became an organ donor when I gave my heart to Jesus Christ.