Best

Best

Be sure to give to the LORD the best portions of the gifts given to you.

“HERE’S THE THINGS that didn’t sell at my garage sale,” the woman said, handing my sister a grocery bag full of items. My sister thanked her and set it aside, but shot me a wry glance. It wasn’t the first bag of leftovers we’d received.

Over the years, we’ve volunteered with local groups in a variety of settings. We’ve looked through items for our local homeless shelter. We’ve organized clothing giveaways for charity organizations. We’ve had furniture and household goods pass through our hands for refugees, pajamas and backpacks for foster families. And while some people give the best that they have—new clothing or goods they’ve purchased with intention, or well-maintained furniture or other items—many give their leftovers. Worse, they give without recognizing the inherent harm of giving the worst they have to offer. It says something to someone else when you only consider them worthy of your trash.

God asks us to give our best of all that’s been given to us. We aren’t asked to strive for someone else’s best, but our own—the highest quality or excellence that we can provide out of the gifts God has lavished upon us. The intention matters as much as the action because the things we give to others assign value. For instance, if a friend has a birthday, we spend time thinking about the gift we will give to them. It will probably be something new or memorable. Maybe it would be something we baked or created by hand. Though it wouldn’t necessarily cost a lot of money, it would be given with love and care. It would be our best.

As Christians, let us not only lead with love; let’s lead with our very best. If we take to heart the truth that everything we do should be done as though we do it for the Lord, we will be more inclined to give the best of ourselves in every situation. Doing so will not only bless the recipient; it will reflect the love of the Father to those around us.

Lord, help us to give the best of ourselves, in every situation. Amen.

-Kristin

One Good Step: Share something that’s the best part of yourself —a talent or skill, or even kind words—with someone else.