It's better to give (2)

Taking a risk and giving of ourselves takes guts. It takes initiative. It means looking at a situation from a different perspective, and 'giving bigger' than we normally might - tidying up the mess after the party is over, chatting to the newbie at church.

It took initiative for the Good Samaritan to do what two others had steered away from. Read Luke 10:25-37 and see what set the Samaritan apart. We don't know whether the Samaritan was an outgoing guy, or whether he was shy or worried about what people would think. Either way, he gave of himself. Whatever he felt about the situation, he responded immediately. Jesus describes the Samaritan as a 'neighbour to the man' (Luke 10:36 NIV). How amazing would it be for Christians (especially those who'd rather not make a big deal of it) to be known as people who are neighbours to people in every situation, jumping in with compassion when others don't?

For those of us who wouldn't class ourselves as the outgoing types, there may be an extra leap needed towards acts of generosity. But that leap, even when it's difficult, is 100% worth it. That's what Jesus is getting at when he says, 'Go and do likewise' (Luke 10:37 NIV).



So what now? Here's an initiative-taking giving challenge: whether at church or work or school, find someone new, and make an effort to make them feel welcome, show them around, sit with them at lunch. You will experience that it is more blessed to give than to receive.





— SCRIPTURE —

'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' Acts 20:35 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

Eze 27:25-30:26, Matt 23:1-12, Ps 112 , Pro 20:1-4