A Pattern Of Giving - The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional

A Pattern of Giving

Give as freely as you have received!

Matthew 10:8

“I know a family that has taken in some boys. They need clothes, and immediately I thought of you,” my neighbor explained over the phone one cold winter evening as I listened to the story of her friends. “It sounds like the boys are the same sizes as your kids. Is there any way you could help?”

“Of course I can,” I said and headed upstairs to sort through my boys’ closets. I found plenty of items that were still in good shape but were too small or that we had too many of.

A few weeks later another neighbor asked if I had any extra baby items I could give to a friend of hers, a new immigrant in our area, who was in need of all the basics. Again, I dug through closets, looking for things that I had too many of or that I wasn’t using anymore to give to another mom who needed them more than I did.

This has happened several times over the past few years—neighbors or friends asking for items that we no longer need but that could be useful to someone else. I consider it a huge compliment that they would think of me and ask if I could give to someone in need, knowing that I’ll be willing to help.

We all have the ability to answer Jesus’ command to give as freely as we have received. Do you know someone who freely gives of what they have? Think about the character traits you admire about them. Perhaps they are kind, grateful, or humble. Are you someone who is able to give easily to others when asked, or do you find it hard to part with things even if you do not need them anymore? Even if we have a more difficult time with giving freely, we all have the ability to grow in this area, and as we do so, to develop these traits that we admire in others.

—Kendra

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Give something away to someone who needs it more than you do.