Open Your Hand And Give

Open Your Hand and Give

Don’t worry about these things, saying, “What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?” These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.

Matthew 6:31-32

Recession has hit our country in recent years. Friends have lost their homes. Others have whittled down their savings. Many are out of jobs. But the Amish are a segment of society that has hardly been touched with financial trouble. When the world around us uses advertising and promotion to urge consumers to buy more, the Amish raise their children to get by with just enough. “Waste not, want not” is a common saying. Amish are consumers, too, but they consume in a different way. They don’t purchase products to make them look good or to bring comfort, ease, or beauty to their lives. They purchase food, clothing, tools, or other supplies because they have a specific need.

The Amish live by common sense, and they foster contentment with what they have. They also open their hands and give to those who are in need. Giving to others as a top money management technique may seem foolish, but the Amish received this advice from the One who owns everything. Jesus said, “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (Luke 6:38).

If you want to live in peace, throw away your long shopping list and learn to live with less. Do you want to be unruffled and content? Cease focusing on what you don’t have, and instead consider what you can give to someone who has less.

Those who don’t believe that God is there—and that He cares for them—have reason to worry and fret. But our heavenly Father not only knows our needs but also brings others into our lives to help meet them. He also brings people in need into our lives because He knows we will be blessed when we open our hands to give.

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for all You’ve provided—in unexpected ways and through the care of others. Show me someone who needs something I have to offer. I open my hands today.