GlocalNet

Love isn’t free - it always costs someone.  Love cost God coming in the form of a man, going to the cross for the redemption of humanity.  He created sons and daughters that he loves, they need redemption from sin and transformation in their lives and in their world.  As followers of Jesus, it will cost us no loss.  We are not talking about mere philanthropy.  Philanthropy is giving away what is yours out of your resources and generally excesses.  Giving as God gave was total and complete.  When we give, we are giving in total and complete ways as well.  We don’t merely give our possessions - we give ourselves.  How we give ourselves though is crucial.

I was with a top Vietnamese leader yesterday and we were speaking about what is going on in the world and in Vietnam in particular with reference to development.  We talked about that old adage, “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for his life.” 

Do I give out of pity?  If I do, it is pictures that I see, stories that I hear, or something that is hurting people.  Pity moves me immediately but whatever it does doesn’t last.

Do I give out of reciprocity?  If I do, I give my stuff - but not me, and my motivation for giving is in hopes of something coming back to myself.  It isn’t the emptying of Christ - that we read about and we see. 

Do I give out of obligation?  If I do, I give the bare minimum, check off the box that I gave. 

Do I give out of vision?  This is good, because it focuses all my resources towards something that God has called me or us to do.  But, if I’m not careful, it’s giving to accomplish the “agenda” that is set before us and looses sight of the people it is meant to help. 

Do I give out of love?  Love sees the long term and makes the wise decision - it isn’t emotional or impulsive.  Love sees the sacrifices necessary that bring legitimate tansformation.  Love is hard.  Love is wise.  Love takes time.  Love is enduring.  Love sees the moment but acts towards the future. 

Father, may all my giving by driven by love - every good thing I have received from you wasn’t about a moment - but a plan, a direction, a divine connection with an earthly situation that you might be glorified, magnified, and all men can find hope in you.