Having A Generous Hand

I read a book once about the Middle Eastern customs. I wish I could remember the title, but it slips my mind right now. I think the author might have been Christine Caine -- she is an amazing vessel of Christ that offers so much to this world. She is such an inspiration. Anyways, in the book there is a term for having a generous hand in the Middle Eastern culture. It is a description of a person who is always ready to give themselves of service, whether it is through themselves serving a purpose or giving of their tangible belongings and/or finances. The description of this person is also one who has a generous hand, but is also humble about it. They literally take the scripture about not letting the left hand know what the right hand is doing. I think this was the intent of how giving of oneself in service to others should have been done. To this day, I still don't get when celebrities or even not famous people do something good for someone in need and then they post it all on Facebook as a means to get recognition. For me, I'm more impressed when something leaks about a person, who wanted to remain anonymous, of the good they have done for someone or for an organization which in turn assists in helping others in need of their services. Now that is impressive.

I'm going to share how I was a giver to United Way. The only people who knew what my contribution was were payroll, United Way and myself and that is how I wanted it to be. I gave from the first month I was hired full time in 1992 through 2014 when I retired. I believed that United Way (outside of some scandalous embezzlement from a high ranking individual within the organization) was the most efficient and accountable organization. I knew that 95 cents of my dollar was being used for direct service to the many organizations that helped other people in need. However, like I said, I never wanted anyone to know how much I contributed, but those who assured my contribution was distributed as it should have been through my paycheck. Well, unknown to me, I guess United Way got wind that I was retiring and they wanted to present me with a plaque. I had no idea until they called me up. I was so embarrassed. Not only did I get recognition that I didn't want, but they announced the total amount of money I had contributed in all the years I had contributed. I heard gasps and I just wanted to crawl under a rock. You see, I have a strong belief system that if you get recognized publicly for something you do on earth anonymously, the reward of being humble is no longer there. Because my face emotes how I feel, anyone who saw me receive that recognition knew, I was not happy to receive it.

'Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.'

I seriously take to heart what is written in scripture about helping the poor and less fortunate people of our world. I have been so blessed abundantly in my life, to not be a cheerful giver is not in my nature. If I see someone in need -- I don't care who they are, I am happy to extend a helping hand with whatever it is they are lacking. To me it should be the forefront of Christianity and I think it should be done without thinking that somehow you are gaining points with God, because that's not my reasoning. I guess I recognize when I was on the receiving end of "charity", it isn't the most comfortable thing to receive something that hasn't been worked for, however, I can tell you that I certainly did appreciate it as I had no other means of provision at the time. I've said for years that I would rather be on the giving end than the receiving end of hardship and financial struggling. God has provided for me and my family in abundance and I am happy to share. You know nothing truly belongs to you -- everything belongs to God -- we are just the stewards of things.

Also giving of one's time to people who are shut in's or have no way of venturing outside of their facilities due to illness or disability -- I think it is important to give of your time -- it doesn't require much, just to bring some joy in their lives. I remember when our senior group made placemats every month to give out to a convalescent/rehab facility. The joy those residents got from something so simple. We also had a project where we painted rocks and we handed them out at a community event, just to bring joy to the person receiving them. Our Father's House had organized a day for some of us ladies to go and provide manicure services to the female residents of the same facility. They were so happy to be pampered for a couple hours. I believe we also provided them with some treats. It doesn't take much and when it is a group effort, the costs for providing such a simple service to several are minimal.

One thing you should always remember when you are providing a generous hand to someone is to be cheerful about it. If it causes you stress of any kind and you feel anxious about doing it, then my recommendation to you is to not do it. God loves a cheerful giver.

It's unfortunate that I've actually experienced people's outward reactions and faces when someone who is homeless and hasn't had the luxury of bathing, etc.  They react negatively and act as if the person is less than them. We don't know their circumstances. I remember working in WalMart and a homeless man was buying something from my register and he went to hand me his money and someone next to me said for me not to touch the money, because he smelled and the money was disgusting. I said to them, "Excuse me?" and I took the man's money and provided him back his change. I did not change my demeanor and treated him like the paying customer he was. We need to remember to look at people through Jesus's eyes. Another thing I always say to myself is that these individuals are someone's family. They were/are somebody's son or daughter.

I've often been told by people who are around me that see me hand off money to someone with a sign that I shouldn't do it. My response is why? I let them know Holy Spirit prompted me to. I will feed a person too if they are hungry. If not me, then who? I thank Jesus for the opportunity of being His hands and feet.

Matthew 6:3 -- "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing

Matthew 25:40-45  -- ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me,you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

2 Corinthians 9:7 -- "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."