Giving Tuesday

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 NIV

The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is called “Giving Tuesday.” I’m not sure how it got that designation, or who thought up the idea. But I like it!  Maybe after the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping, someone thought it would be nice to do some giving.

I’ve always loved to give. My mother told me I’ve always been like that. I would go through my cupboards and give away toys, hair accessories, simple jewelry and clothes. I so enjoyed giving to my nieces and my neighborhood friends. I admire my mother’s ability to let me do that…but she herself was such an example of giving. She gave through her food, and in spite of her limited budget, she always had something to put in the offering plate at church. She was an incredible giver!

When Floyd and I got married, we had to talk a lot about this because, of course, I wanted to keep giving. We didn’t have much money to give, but I still wanted to give from my “things” that I had. I so admire Floyd—instead of fighting me on my desire to give, he decided to join me. That began a lifetime of giving for us. We didn’t have much, but we always gave.

Two memories come to mind. When we were newly married, we were at a staff gathering, and an offering was taken to send one of our workers to Pakistan. The Lord spoke clearly to both of us to empty our pockets and wallets and give “everything” we had. We didn’t have much that evening—I’d be surprised if it was even $25—but we did it. It was a wonderful journey of faith to see how God, in turn, met our needs in the days ahead.

Another time we were traveling and speaking in churches. We had spoken at a church in Ohio. During the service, an offering was taken for a missionary. Again, we felt prompted to give our all, little though it was. After church we went and sat in our car (a YWAM vehicle that we were using for our travels). The petrol tank was almost empty. We had nowhere to stay that night, and we hadn’t eaten dinner. So, we sat in the car and prayed. We decided with some creative maneuvering we could sleep in the car.

As we were starting to get things arranged, a car drove up to the driver’s window. A man introduced himself. He had been at the service that night, and was touched by the sermon Floyd gave. He was at home, readying himself for bed, when the Lord spoke to him to go back to the church and find us and give us a gift. He was sure we would be gone, but he obeyed—and gave us $100. That was a fortune to us! We got something to eat, put petrol in the car, and found an inexpensive motel to stay for the night. And there was some left over to help us as we went to the next place we were speaking.

I have so many of these testimonies tucked away in my heart—some special ones from even before I married Floyd. These testimonies have created a foundation of trust in my heart. They showed me that I can give as the Lord leads, and He will always take care of me/us. He took care of us and the houseful of hippies in Afghanistan when we often didn’t have money for the next meal to feed everyone. God has been a wonderful provider—and He loves to give too!

I can’t think about the Lord without thinking of His love and generosity. Through these last years when things were so hard, the Lord gave to me continually. He gave love, comfort, strength, grace, courage, protection, healing, wisdom, and so much more. He provided for our needs over and over again. I can hear in my mind my mother saying so many times, “You can’t out-give the Lord.” There is not a truer statement.

Father, help us to be generous givers, just as You have given to us. Amen.