What do I have to give . . .

Giving . . .

Do you know what that word means? Of course we all use it and know it in context but I have found myself recently being intrigued by looking up words in the dictionary. I have found that we tend to take only one piece or perspective of a word and take that as the whole. There were many definitions of give. So much so that it reminds me much of a diamond that now with light on it shows a prism of colors. Here are a few of the defining characteristics of the word give:

1. To make a present of

2. To place in the hands of; pass

3. To deliver in exchange or recompense; pay

4. To let go for a price; sell

5. To bestow, especially officially; confer

6. To accord or tender to another

7.  To put temporarily at the disposal of (must be modified by said time frame)

8. To entrust to another, usually for a specified reason

9. To convey or offer for conveyance

10. To devote or apply completely

And this is only a small portion of the defining characteristics of this little 4 letter word. As we are well into the Christmas season this word often finds the word give associated with things and even time.

I cant help but be drawn to what Jesus gave to us particularly in this season.  He was God and was with God and he gave it all up. Not just to die for us and save us but to walk this imperfect world with us.  Obviously we have the gift of eternal life and hope because in the end he gave His life on the cross but think about what it meant for him to give up a perfect life to be born and live in a fallen world where he knew he would be hated. I just finished studying the birthing process in nursing school and frankly as someone who has no kids I don’t find it pleasant.  Although none of us remember the process of being born I find it intriguing that Jesus gave it all right down to the birthing process.  And yet, I find myself unwilling to give up anything. If God wants something different from me he tends to have to rip it from my tight hands.

And that was only the beginning.

He does ask for us to give something to him. Just ourselves. Only one thing. But a huge thing. Maybe it’s the only child in me but I find my rebellious side jumping out on that one.  I really have been that independent, “I do it myself, daddy,” kind of kid even in this adult body.  I find myself saying God I will give you this but not this. It is absolutely silly I know but fortunately God knows that my heart is a work in process. I wish I could tell everyone who gets frustrated with me . . . “ you should have seen me before Mercy!”

That said I think of the passage in Mark 12:41-44
that says:

And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”

Any of us who have been in church very long have heard this from a pastor. And obviously it shows Gods heart for our financial giving and tithes and offering’s. There is abundant blessing in being faithful with what he has given you. I would like to present for consideration another view of this parable. Some people who have had a variety of life experiences also struggle to give of themselves. The love, the trust the connection that some take for granted. Even an ounce of that is all that some people have. And I think God knows that.  In fact, Deuteronomy 16:17 says 
Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.

This is no excuse but a charge to push through and give the best that you can. None of us are there regardless of  the home you grew up in or the life you lived. But we are called to give of ourselves in addition to our gifts in a sacrificial manner. Regardless of the pain or fear. And we can do this. Jesus set that example over 2000 years ago.

Joyce Meyer says “Im not where I want to be but thank God I am not where I used to be.” And that is exactly where I am with this. Where are you?  God will use anything to draw you to Himself but will you let him. I was a rough fight but God used Mercy Ministries to turn my life around.  For more information on Mercy Ministries go to http://www.mercyministries.org/.

Deuteronomy 15:10
 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

1 Chronicles 29:9
 Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly.

Luke 6:38
 Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.

Romans 6:13

Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.