Words from my mother. And taken as a sentence sound kind of cryptic, but explained by my mother, they made perfect sense. Most of us are giving people and will share what we have with those who have less, or those who are in need. At least I like to think that is the case.
Most of you also know that I would give you the shirt right off my back if I thought you needed it and I like to think you would return the favor and I am sure you would! So what is this all about anyway? What does it have to do with not letting one hand know what the other hand is doing? I will tell you. It has come to my attention that some people are watching their hands a little to closely and maybe not letting go of what they give to another. I do not want to become one of those people. As an example, if I meet a man on the street and he is cold, I will give him my coat. At that point I will walk away. I could hide around the corner to see if he maybe sells it and then goes and buys a beer, but I would never do that. I have given it to him and it is his to do with as he sees fit. Ideally, he will use it to keep warm which was my original intent.
Maybe he has a friend who needs the coat more than he does. Maybe he will wad it up and set on it so he does not get in the mud. Who knows the fate of the coat at this point. What I am trying to say is that as Christians we are often moved to do things and give things. When this happens, we must let them go, and walk away. I recently learned of an instance where someone had given something and it was sold. The giver was hurt that this had happened. Oft times when gifts are given to charities they are then sold and the cash used for other things, like gas bills, groceries, or medicine. Maybe school supplies for migrant children. Maybe that shawl you knitted and gave to the nursing home and pictured a little old lady keeping warm on a cold night ended up in a silent auction. Or maybe the director took it across town to someone who was freezing because the heat was turned off in their apartment. Or maybe someone who did not need it at all, sold it and did go buy beer with it!
I guess what I am trying to say is this: If you give it away, then give it away. Let it go. We have to do our part in trying to make the world a better place, but we can not do it all. If you give something to someone, it is not yours to control. Let it go. And if you think that person abused your gift, then next time give to someone that you think will do better with your offerings. You could go to the person who offended you and talk to them. "I gave you such and such and I think it went to some place I did not intend it to go." Let them tell you what happened, but you should know that discussing it with anyone who will listen is only casting doubt on yourself. And that is where the not letting one hand know what the other is doing comes into play.
Take your gift. Lay it on the alter, or place it in someone else's hand and walk away. It is not yours anymore. Your heart is not burdened with worldly goods. Forget about it and move on to the next person who is in need and you will be wiser for it.
Just some thoughts this morning.
Most of you also know that I would give you the shirt right off my back if I thought you needed it and I like to think you would return the favor and I am sure you would! So what is this all about anyway? What does it have to do with not letting one hand know what the other hand is doing? I will tell you. It has come to my attention that some people are watching their hands a little to closely and maybe not letting go of what they give to another. I do not want to become one of those people. As an example, if I meet a man on the street and he is cold, I will give him my coat. At that point I will walk away. I could hide around the corner to see if he maybe sells it and then goes and buys a beer, but I would never do that. I have given it to him and it is his to do with as he sees fit. Ideally, he will use it to keep warm which was my original intent.
Maybe he has a friend who needs the coat more than he does. Maybe he will wad it up and set on it so he does not get in the mud. Who knows the fate of the coat at this point. What I am trying to say is that as Christians we are often moved to do things and give things. When this happens, we must let them go, and walk away. I recently learned of an instance where someone had given something and it was sold. The giver was hurt that this had happened. Oft times when gifts are given to charities they are then sold and the cash used for other things, like gas bills, groceries, or medicine. Maybe school supplies for migrant children. Maybe that shawl you knitted and gave to the nursing home and pictured a little old lady keeping warm on a cold night ended up in a silent auction. Or maybe the director took it across town to someone who was freezing because the heat was turned off in their apartment. Or maybe someone who did not need it at all, sold it and did go buy beer with it!
I guess what I am trying to say is this: If you give it away, then give it away. Let it go. We have to do our part in trying to make the world a better place, but we can not do it all. If you give something to someone, it is not yours to control. Let it go. And if you think that person abused your gift, then next time give to someone that you think will do better with your offerings. You could go to the person who offended you and talk to them. "I gave you such and such and I think it went to some place I did not intend it to go." Let them tell you what happened, but you should know that discussing it with anyone who will listen is only casting doubt on yourself. And that is where the not letting one hand know what the other is doing comes into play.
Take your gift. Lay it on the alter, or place it in someone else's hand and walk away. It is not yours anymore. Your heart is not burdened with worldly goods. Forget about it and move on to the next person who is in need and you will be wiser for it.
Just some thoughts this morning.
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