Share What You Have

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16 ESV

I want to look at the statement “Share What You Have” today. I try through my website, YouTube, and other channels to share what I have. At times, the enemy will try to discourage me from sharing by telling me it isn’t good enough, etc. Sometimes it comes through discouraging comments made by others about what I am doing, and sometimes it is just thoughts that come to mind.

But I’m learning to be content with “sharing what I have”. Whether it is the little bit of cash left in my wallet when a deaf man approaches me in a parking lot — or whether it is sharing what insight I can glean from the scriptures for application in my own life — or whether it is sharing heartfelt worship in song — I can only bring what I have to offer. And the truth is that the most spotless sacrifice I could ever try and lift up is never going to be as perfect as the Lamb of God, as Jesus Christ on the cross for you and me.

The point in all of this is that we shouldn’t be discouraged by our best not being as good or as polished as what someone else might lift up. We can’t let comparison hinder us from “sharing what we have”. Earlier this week, the neighbors were over and the kids were playing in the back yard while us parents chatted. And my grandmother who has Alzheimers and lives with us came outside to spend some time on the back porch with us. She gave each of the three children a quarter and a dime. And even though the children knew that it might not buy them much, that didn’t matter at all in that moment. This sweet gesture from a sweet woman that at times battles against the negative thoughts of dementia “shared what she had” and it was a beautiful moment.

Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”
Mark 12:41‭-‬44 NLT

There are people in the world that need different things. Some need food. Some need shelter and clothing. Some need help through their grieving. Some need encouragement in the midst of their hopelessness. Some need an outpouring of undeserved love to rescue them from their bitterness and unforgiveness. There are all kinds of things people need. And our choices, what we will do and say today will influence their lives.

No, we don’t always get this right. And no, we don’t always realize the impact of our either “sharing what we have” or “withholding it” (for whatever reason our minds have justified to us) has on the environment around us. But our willingness or unwillingness doesn’t even just change or environment — but it either softens our hardens our own heart towards the spirit of God — towards love for our fellow man.

This week I have watched people reacting to the Coronavirus in very different ways. Some people have been hoarding for themselves, and grumbling and complaining about the inconvenience to themselves of precautions being taken to protect the weak. While some people have looked at the precautions from a perspective of willing and eager sacrifice on the chance that it might help the weak and the vulnerable. And I have faced the decisions myself — do I buy more toilet paper than we need or just buy the one pack we actually need. Can I offer help to families who might struggle tho make ends meet as businesses and schools close, etc. Will I see things as “us vs them” or as “we” and will I “share what I have” willingly and eagerly — and out of love not pity or “proud charity”.

Lord, help us all in these areas.