World Cup Visitors Experiencing Culture Shock

Have you watched any of the videos of foreign visitors to the United States who’ve come here to cheer on their respective soccer (or if you prefer, futbol) teams in the World Cup? They’re hilarious. People from England, Italy, Scotland, Russia, Argentina, France, Australia, Germany, Japan and other countries speaking in amazement about everything from Buc-ee’s to Walmart, automated car washes to expansive highways, Dunkin Donuts to bars and beer, the grandeur of our geography to our passionate patriotism. 

Nearly every American they meet, they say, is so friendly and hospitable. I’m sure there are some whose experience hasn’t been so congratulatory, but for the most part it seems our legally visiting guests are dumbfounded over what they’re seeing, hearing and tasting in the good ole U.S.A.

 

The most interesting thing is they’re discovering America and its citizens are very different from the impressions they had been receiving from their national news sources. They don’t seem to fit the portrayals of angry, nasty, hostile Americans. Can you imagine – media presenting an intentionally skewed perspective on the news? 

 

Why are the majority of soccer fans on their first trips to the U.S. reacting in such favorable ways, talking up our country in such glowing terms? The effects of capitalism and materialism are part of it. Although we tend to take it for granted, the foreign guests are encountering everything from food to clothing to technology to housing in ways they’ve never experienced. You name it, we’ve got it. In abundance. 

 

But I think the primary reason is something far more fundamental. It’s the American culture that has been developed and maintained – at least so far – over the past 250 years.

 

In the marketplace, companies talk about their “culture” – the values, beliefs and principles that guide and govern how they conduct business. You can usually identify a business that has built a strong, positive, assertive culture. It not only attracts customers but also ensures they want to keep coming back. I believe the same is the case with our nation, even though our prevailing culture is so familiar to most of us that we don’t even think about it – until some “outsider” reminds us of it.

 

Where did this culture come from? How did it develop? I believe it was built into the fabric of our society by design, sewn into it through documents like our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the actions and thinking of the nation’s founders. But it’s even deeper than that.

 

One of the underlying motivations for people fleeing England was their desire for freedom of religion, unfettered by the edicts of a national denomination. But they weren’t seeking freedom from religion, because faith was integral to these courageous folk who ventured across an entire ocean to a new land they had never seen and had only heard about.

 

As Mikale Olson recently wrote in an op-ed column for The Christian Post, “At the center of American life has always been a particular set of values: hospitality, personal responsibility, generosity, patriotism, individual liberty, and the belief that every human being possesses inherent dignity. These values were heavily shaped by our Christian heritage and became woven into the fabric of the nation itself.”

 

We find this implicit in the Declaration of Independence, dating back to July 4, 1776. Its opening includes these familiar words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights….”

 

Where did the notion that all men – meaning, in the terminology of the time, both men and women – are “created equal” come from? Looking through history and at all the societies of our world, such equality is rare. This doesn’t mean all are identical, or that all should experience equal outcomes. But it does mean that all deserve the same Rights of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

 

The concept of a Creator comes directly from the Old Testament book of Genesis: “In the beginning God created…” (Genesis 1:1). Belief in the sanctity of life and many of the freedoms we enjoy today also have their basis in the Scriptures. In fact, freedom is one of the Bible’s foundational precepts: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1).

 

We could go down the line discussing characteristics of Americans our visiting soccer fans have happily discovered, but directly or indirectly many of them have derived from two central precepts Jesus Christ taught during His earthly ministry. One is what we commonly refer to as “the Golden Rule” – “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

 

The other is the principle of generosity that continues to inspire many in what is probably the most giving nation in the world. Jesus declared, “…remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35).

 

Watching the news media and listening to many entertainers speaking from their exclusive enclaves, one might conclude the United States is one of the worst places in the history of the world. That apparently was what many of our foreign visitors anticipated. It’s gratifying that their expectations have not been realized; in fact, it’s been greatly to the contrary.

 

Conscious of it or not, it seems lots of our American citizens are in fact doing unto others as they would have them to do unto themselves. And they’re finding it really is more blessed to give than to receive. Perhaps the reactions of our foreign friends will serve as a wakeup call for us, recognizing that while the United States is far from perfect, it’s still “an amazing place,” as countless foreign friends have concluded.

So Many Causes, Only So Much Money to Give

Have you ever gone to your mailbox with anticipation, perhaps expecting a letter or card from a family member or friend (increasingly rare these days), a check you’ve been waiting on (also not as common as it used to be), a package, or your favorite magazine? You open the mailbox and…no letter, no check, no package, no magazine. Instead, all you find – besides the usual junk mail – are several envelopes from a variety of charitable organizations. 

 

There’s a letter from a veterans’ organization, asking for a donation. A couple from Christian ministries you support occasionally, asking for another gift. Some organization that’s dedicated to fighting a dreaded disease is asking for your help. An international organization that assists impoverished families has a heartfelt plea. And there are a couple of other “asks” from charitable causes you’ve never heard of; they probably got your name from another organization you support that sold their mailing list.

 

How do you handle all that mail, besides throwing them into the pile you’re saving for recycling? It’s not all “junk mail,” because many of the causes are worthwhile, but you can’t support everyone, right? 

 

Some folks don’t do much charitable giving at all, so this isn’t a great problem for them. If they don’t give anything, ministries and non-profits won’t be asking them for more. But for those of us who believe that as followers of Christ one of our responsibilities is give to charity a portion of what the Lord has given to us, it can pose some difficult decisions.

 

The Scriptures state that some people have the spiritual gift of giving – “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously…” (Romans 12:8). I believe that refers to individuals God lavishly entrusts with money and material resources they eagerly pass on to others. As one philanthropist told me, “The Lord shovels it in and I shovel it out – and He has a bigger shovel.”

 

However, even if our spiritual gift isn’t giving, we’re still commanded to give as God enables and directs. Proverbs 3:9-10 exhorts us to “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

 

Jesus explained it this way: “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38). 

 

So, for the obedient believer giving isn’t an option. The question is where or to whom to give, and how much. The Bible teaches a primary recipient should be the local church. If we are benefiting from being part of a local congregation and believe God is accomplishing His work through it, we should certainly support its staff, activities and programs. However, there are other causes that deserve to be considered. How do we determine who receives our contributions – and who doesn’t?

 

There’s no single answer to that question. Each of us has certain causes and ministries that capture our interest. We should trust God to guide our decisions, particularly since He’s the one who provided us with the resources. He might lay a special need on your heart that doesn’t resonate with someone else. We do have an obligation to give wisely, knowing our contributions are, to borrow a phrase from the Salvation Army – one of myriad worthy causes – “doing the most good.”

 

Whenever I’m faced with charitable giving decisions, I’ve found great encouragement from the apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

 

This tells me, first of all, that when we give to meet a specific need as the Lord impresses us to give, we can trust He’ll be faithful to meet needs that we have. That our giving, done wisely, won’t result in not having enough for our own needs.

 

Second, if we’re giving “grudgingly,” as another translation expresses it, we’re not doing so with the right spirit and motives. We might be feeling pressured, giving out of a sense of obligation, or because other people we know are doing it. As the passage closes, “God loves a cheerful giver” – literally, a hilarious giver. That’s not someone who’s very reluctant to let loose of their money.

 

This doesn’t fully answer the question of where we should direct our charitable gifts, but it does address the “how” – cheerfully and not under compulsion, and “why” – because God commands us to do so through His Word. Unsolicited requests for donations will continue coming through the mail, just we can’t always block spam arriving in our email inbox, but at least we don’t have to feel guilty about not responding to each one we receive. 

Most of all, we must never forget “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), because as we give cheerfully and willingly, we’ll receive the joy and satisfaction of knowing God is using us to be of help to others in need. 

Being Faithful Stewards of What We Don’t ‘Own’

When we hear someone speaking about money – a preacher, radio ministry, or TV evangelist – many of us have the same reflexive reaction: We reach protectively for our wallets, literally or figuratively. ‘It’s my money, and don’t tell me what I’m supposed to do with it!’

However, if we believe what the Bible says, we realize it’s really not ‘my money.’ One passage in particular makes this clear: “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in heaven and earth belongs to You. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of all. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all” (1 Chronicles 29:11-12).

 

And that’s not an isolated statement. In another passage, God declares, “I have no need for a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills…. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it” (Psalm 50:10,12). As someone has said, if God needed anything, He could just sell one of the cows.

 

The Scriptures teach that rather than being owners, we’re stewards or managers of the resources the Lord entrusts to us. In one of His many parables, Jesus Christ in Matthew 25:14-30 told the story of a man preparing to take a long journey. Before leaving, he called his servants together and put his property into their care. He gave to one of them five talents of money, another two talents, and to a third he gave one talent. Perhaps based on his confidence in their management capabilities.

 

Sure enough, the first two servants invested the money and earned a substantial gain, while the third simply dug a hole and buried the single talent he’d been given. Upon returning, the master met with the servants to see how they had handled the money. The first showed he had put his five talents to work, earning five more, while the second had added two talents to what he’d been entrusted with.

 

Both were praised by the master who said, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things….” Their diligence would be rewarded. The third servant, however, had only the lone talent to return to his master, who wasn’t happy. At the very least, he said, “you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.”

 

The principle behind this parable is one we can apply not only to money, but also to the skills, gifts and experience God has entrusted us with, as well as time and opportunities He sends our way. As the apostle Paul instructed followers of Jesus in ancient Corinth, “So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

 

This is the real test of how we handle ‘our money.’ Are we being faithful in how we use it, seeking to spend it wisely and not frivolously or wastefully? And also exhibiting generosity, especially when presented with needs of others that we can help to meet? 

 

It’s the giving part that many of us struggle with the most. Admittedly, with so many worthwhile causes deserving of support, it can put us into a quandary trying to determine where our contributions should go. That can be a matter of prayer, but the Scriptures tell us what’s most important is our attitude. “Each one must [give] as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). He doesn’t want us grumbling as we write checks or enter our credit card numbers.

 

But along with the importance of obedience and having a cheerful, generous spirit, there’s another motivation for our charitable giving. God promises to bless us for it.

 

In Proverbs 3:9-10 we’re instructed to, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, and the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” If we’re faithful to give as God guides, we won’t need to worry about running short in our ability to meet our own needs. The apostle Paul offered this assurance: “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

 

I remember interviewing Stanley Tam, a philanthropist known for giving much more than the 10 percent tithe that’s often debated in Christian circles. In fact, he reversed it – giving away 90 percent of his income and retaining only 10 percent. How could he do such a thing? It was easy, he explained: “I shovel it out, and God shovels it in. And the Lord has a bigger shovel.”

 

Benefits from giving shouldn’t be confined to a material perspective. The Bible doesn’t guarantee if we donate $10 that we’ll get $10 or more in return. What we can count on are blessings beyond a financial measurement. Jesus taught, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). When we give to worthy causes, the recipients aren't the only beneficiaries; we also experience the joy of being part of God’s plan to helping others.

When we get over the idea of it being ‘our money’ and recognize God is trusting us with His resources, we’re freed up from a lot of worry and can worship the One “from whom all blessings flow,” in the words of the Doxology. 

Resolving the Giving Conundrum

We’ve just passed Giving Tuesday, the last of the pecuniary “triplets” of the Christmas season, following the Black Friday and Cyber Monday opportunities for eager shoppers. Giving Tuesday is probably the most important of the three, with so many charitable organizations dependent on the generosity of their supporters.

 

This issue of giving can be a bit perplexing for me. I’m not reluctant to give charitably, but so many causes deserve consideration. How do we respond to a seemingly unlimited number of possibilities with limited funds for giving?

 

My mailboxes – both email and snail mail – have been deluged by solicitations to support a wide range of needs, from hospitals to the homeless, from discipleship to diseases, from missions to Christian media. Unless you’re a millionaire – even a billionaire – you can’t support them all. How do you choose?

 

Searching the Scriptures won’t provide specifics, like ‘Support XYZ Ministry’ or ‘Give to That Foundation.’ But in His Word, God does provide clear principles on the how’s of giving, if not necessarily the what’s and the who’s. The Lord’s greatest concern, I’ve concluded, is not who benefits from our giving but the motives behind our giving.

 

Giving and generosity can be difficult to discuss, but something stirs when we hear heartwarming stories of generous, unselfish acts. The response to recent hurricanes is one example. While government agencies seemed to be spinning their wheels at times, debating what to do, individuals and Christian organizations like Samaritan’s Purse were quick to take action.

 

But we don’t have to wait for calamities to occur. Generosity can and should be a normal part of everyday life, like breathing and eating. While one doesn’t have to be a follower of Jesus Christ to be generous, giving becomes part of our “spiritual DNA” when we become “new creations in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

 

It was Jesus Christ who declared, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). He also addressed this ‘reciprocal’ aspect of giving in another way: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).

 

It would seem, according to Jesus, that if we’re willing to share from the resources the Lord has provided, He’s quite able to replace what we’ve given with more – so we can continue to be involved in this divine cycle of generosity. 

 

I’ve had the privilege of meeting and writing about numerous individuals whose commitment to giving was lavish by any standard. Industrialist R. G. LeTourneau practiced a “reverse tithe” – giving away 90% of his income and keeping 10% – rather than ‘give 10 and keep 90’ as it’s traditionally taught. 

 

Entrepreneur Stanley Tam, who died in 2023 at the age of 107, explained in his book, God Owns My Business, how he arranged to legally give 100% ownership of his company to God, with all profits used to support charitable causes and mission work. When I interviewed him, Tam quipped, without boasting, “I shovel out, and God’s shovels in. And God’s got a bigger shovel.” Wise counsel indeed from someone who practiced what he preached. 

 

Most of us, of course, aren’t in a position to take such bold steps. We may not have the spiritual gift of giving, which those men definitely had. But this doesn’t excuse us from being generous whenever God sets opportunities in front of us. Which brings us back to the conundrum: With so many worthy causes, how do we decide which to support personally?

 

Most would agree we each should start with our own churches, where we’re ministered to through worship services and other programs, and want to support their work. But I don’t believe they should be the only recipients of our charitable gifts. 

 

There’s no exact formula for singling out other beneficiaries. But we can rely on God’s leading through His Spirit, as well as recognizing which causes we feel particularly passionate about.

 

Over the years I’ve found two Bible passages especially instructive. One of them is 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 which says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 

 

The word “cheerful” could literally be translated as “hilarious.” I think of the closing scenes of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, in which transformed Ebenezer Scrooge begins bestowing his wealth on others rather than hoarding it for himself. Having abandoned his miserly ways, Scrooge becomes giddy upon realizing how generosity can enhance the lives of others.

 

If we’re giving grudgingly or feeling compelled to do so, that doesn’t please the Lord. He wants us to give freely – and excitedly.

 

One other verse also is helpful in reminding us that giving is not a seasonal activity. In 1 John 3:17 we’re told, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” This doesn’t mean having to respond to every panhandler we encounter, but the Lord can give us the wisdom and discernment in how best to steward the resources He has entrusted to our care.

 

If God loved us so much that He gave His own Son for our salvation and redemption, how can we refuse to give as He guides?

It’s Been About Giving Since the Beginning

Do you ever get annoyed when, after making a charitable contribution, you get a receipt for your gift accompanied by another envelope? That used to bother me. It seemed as if they were saying, “Thanks for your gift. Now please send some more.”

 

There's no shortage of legitimate
charitable causes and needs
worthy of our consideration.

My thinking changed after I had to start raising my own financial support while working for a Christian ministry. That’s hard work – and humbling. Initially I felt like a kind of beggar, telling potential donors that I needed to raise my own funds and asking if they would consider becoming financial partners with me.

It was extremely gratifying when many that I approached not only agreed to contribute to my support but also said they considered it a privilege to do so. They believed in me and the work I was doing, and enjoyed knowing they were a part of making it possible.

 

The issue of the reply envelope accompanying the giving receipt was resolved one day after I had noticed one of my faithful donors hadn’t sent in a contribution for a couple of months. I gave him a call to see if he was having any difficulties, or if I had offended him in some way. Not at all, he said. In fact, he apologized for failing to send a gift as usual. 

 

He explained the response envelope served as his reminder to send another gift; apparently he’d misplaced the last one he received. He thanked me for reminding him and promptly sent not only his regular contribution but also made up for the ones he had missed.

 

Years later, I’m no longer on the staff of a charitable organization needing to raise funds. But I’ve come to see the value of receiving a reply envelope for giving to causes we want to support. The envelope is convenient – looking up addresses is bothersome. I’ve actually contacted one ministry we support on a couple of occasions, asking for an extra envelope or two, just in case.

 

The greater issue, I’ve realized, is not the envelope that accompanies the giving receipt but our attitude toward the act of giving. Whether it’s our local congregation and the pastor’s annual stewardship sermon or sifting through mail we receive from non-profit organizations requesting funds, we can perceive this as an intrusion. “They’re always asking for money!”

 

However, giving has been central to God’s plan from the beginning. It’s actually introduced in the first chapter of Genesis, the Bible’s first book. “God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has seed in it. They will be yours for food.’” (Genesis 1:29). The Lord was pleased to share what He had created with the first humans.

 

Next, he provided a very special gift for Adam: “Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man.” (Genesis 2:22). Determining the first man needed “a suitable helper,” God gifted him with a wife. To which Adam responded with the biblical equivalent of “shazam!”

 

Most of us know the most important verse about giving in the Scriptures: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” (John 3:16). Through Jesus Christ we can receive forgiveness for our sins, redemption, salvation, sanctification, and the assurance of eternal life – the gift that keeps on giving.

 

But the Lord didn’t intend for the act of giving to be one-sided. Jesus made this clear, addressing the subject on many occasions. Luke 6:38 recounts His promise, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

 

When considering a charitable gift of some kind, we tend to focus on what we’re giving up. Jesus said in essence that God’s people will never become poor by being generous. This is one reason in Acts 20:35 the apostle Paul was, “…remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

 

The Old Testament book of Proverbs contains dozens of verses offering guidance in how we should give. Among my favorites is Proverbs 11:24-25, “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

 

Our motivation in giving, however, shouldn’t be what we anticipate receiving in return. Our love and devotion to God, who has done so much for us, should be our underlying motive. In exhorting believers in Corinth to cultivate lives of generosity, Paul writes, “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

 

Shortly afterward the apostle admonishes, “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Several times I’ve heard Bible teachers explain the term “cheerful giver” in the Greek literally means to be a “hilarious giver.”

When you have opportunities to give in support of ministries and causes you believe in, is this your attitude? Can you give “hilariously” and eagerly? Or do you give “grudgingly or under compulsion,” clinging tightly to the money or check you’ve written from your hand – or resenting the reply envelope? 

When It’s Not More Blessed to Give Than to Receive

You don’t need to be a devout follower of Jesus Christ to be familiar with one of His most oft-quoted declarations, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). In a world that focuses on self – “it’s all about me” – we need the reminder that the value of giving, whether it’s money or time or talent, is immeasurable. 

 

However, it occurs to me that at least in one way, giving is not more blessed than receiving. I’m referring to when we’re tempted to give someone a piece of our mind we can’t afford to lose. Except for endless yammering we hear on TV – constant commentary by "experts" on anything and everything – we’re becoming increasingly disinclined to listen. Many are more than willing to offer our opinions, solicited or not.

 

As has often been observed, God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we should use them in that proportion. Alas, we tend to do just the opposite. For some, listening is an activity engaged in only until the speaker pauses to take a breath. Then, during that brief oral hiatus, we interrupt and begin to interject our own thoughts.

But this isn’t a new phenomenon birthed out of social media, TV talk shows and news commentary. Apparently, it’s a flaw as old as human history. In the Bible’s New Testament, for instance, we’re exhorted, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:1:19). Who do you know that would describe?

 

We’ve all heard about the many millions of dollars of damage in California resulting from massive fires that presumably started with a single spark. According to the Scriptures, an untamed tongue can cause similar devastation: 

“…the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell…no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:5-8).

 

Wow! Strong words, right? But I think we all can think of examples of times when we’ve either been guilty of such verbal “malpractice” or observed it being committed by someone else.

 

Some might argue, “Don’t I have a right to say what I think?” or, “It’s the truth, and sometimes the truth hurts.” To a point, both statements are valid. But as one of my favorite verses often reminds me, “When there are many words, transgression is not avoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19). To paraphrase, there’s wisdom in not being too generous with what we have to say.

 

In Proverbs we also read, “A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the hearty of fools blurts out folly” (Proverbs 12:23). And another verse warns, “He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin” (Proverbs 13:3).

 

Each of these passages points out that the “giving” of our thoughts and perspectives verbally isn’t always what we imagine it to be. Often the greater gift is to sincerely listen to what others have to say – not only to hear words expressed but also to consider what those words (and their underlying intentions) actually mean. As Proverbs 20:12 says, “Ears that hear and eyes that see – the Lord has made them both.”

 

We would do well to consider the exhortation from another book of the Bible, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29). Conversely, when words offered are designed for building us up, we would be wise to take heed and receive them with appreciation.

For those who feel a finger pointing their way, be assured I’m preaching to myself as well. Many times I’ve been guilty of being all too eager to give my two cents worth. And let’s face it, two cents isn’t worth nearly as much as it used to be!  

Giving is Living – Living is Giving

Giving, as represented in this portion of Michelangelo's
"The Creation of Adam," transcends time and eternity.

We live in a consumer society, drenched every day in a deluge of ads telling us about all the stuff we can’t live without. We’ve perfected the fine art of receiving. So when I read, “Giving is Living – Living is Giving,” it seemed counter-cultural. Then I thought, “That’s right!”

Not that I’m the world’s most generous person; I enjoy receiving things, even in my advancing years. But there’s a lot to be said about giving.

In 1981 I met Bob Lupton, founder of FCS Urban Ministries in Atlanta. The mission of his organization then – as it remains today – was to serve and help poor families to become self-sustaining. As I was interviewing Bob for a magazine article, he made a statement that’s stuck with me ever since: “The greatest poverty is the inability to give.”

He explained even for people with genuine needs, dignity and a sense of self-worth come from being able to give, especially for parents to provide for their children. This is why well-intended Christmas projects to give food, clothes and toys to impoverished families often fall short – the generosity of those that have unintentionally reinforcing the futility of those that have not.

When Jesus said 2,000 years ago, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), He wasn’t just introducing an idealistic philosophy. He was declaring a timeless principle that when we give, in whatever form, we also receive.

Parents experience this in giving to a child; seeing the delight in the young one’s eyes warms the hearts of mom and dad. Grandparents know this remains true as they interact with their next generation. Dedicated teachers discover this when they not only convey subject material, but also inspire students to learn and grow as individuals. Many nurses find much gratification in caring for patients, whether assisting a new mother give birth or comforting those with debilitating illnesses.

I’ve found giving to be more blessed than receiving while serving as a hospital volunteer, visiting patients who had just undergone open-heart surgery, just as I did years before. Being able to offer encouragement by telling my story and giving suggestions for their recovery process meant far more for me than if I’d been paid for my services.

The same has proved true in mentoring other men, offering my time and attention to assist in their desire to grow personally, professionally and spiritually. In giving, I’ve also received richly, perhaps more than the guys I’ve mentored.

At the same time, the blessing of giving is compromised when it becomes a requirement. That’s why the Bible teaches, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

What we all need is not a guilt trip, not brow-beating or high pressure to give, whether it’s of our time, talents, or material resources. What we do need is a reminder that living truly is giving, and giving is living. It’s about the joy – and blessing – of giving, especially to those lacking a means for repaying us for our kindness.

And also an awareness that as we give in the right ways, we are helping others to get into positions of being able to give as well, thereby extricating themselves from what Bob Lupton described as the greatest poverty of all. 

Receiving Through Giving

It's almost universal - everyone enjoys
receiving things. But are we as eager to give?

There’s not one of us that doesn’t like getting things. Christmas morning, waking up and going to see what’s in that brightly colored box with our name on it under the tree. On our birthday, getting gifts from friends and loved ones – just because we’ve aged a year. A surprise gift when there’s no special reason. Even people that don’t need anything like to receive things – Oprah; rich entertainers at annual awards shows, the President.

And our society teaches one of the secrets to happiness and security is accumulating stuff. We even spend money on insurance to make sure we don’t lose it – or at least are able to replace it. Years ago someone summed it up with this slogan: “He who dies with the most toys wins.”

So if the presumed key is to get things and hang onto them with all of our might, what’s with the biblical adage even people who’ve never read the Bible can repeat: “It is more blessed to give than receive”?

Yes, unlike “God helps those that help themselves” – which is found nowhere in the Scriptures – this admonition about giving actually is there. As the apostle Paul declared, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive' " (Acts 20:35).

This, as I noted several posts back, is another of the seeming paradoxes of biblical faith. In our materialistic culture, it might even be the greatest paradox of all. How can we gain if we choose to give away? How can you increase when you’re busy decreasing what you possess? But this principle is there, just the same. And it’s frequently reaffirmed.

Speaking to a large crowd of people gathered around Him, Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Luke 6:38).

He was saying then – and still says today – if we give, freely and generously from the heart, we’ll not lack for anything. God will more than supply what we need. There’s one caveat: Our giving should be without reservation.

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8).

But it’s more than being assured if we give to help others in whatever way we’re impressed to do so, we’ll not be left destitute ourselves. There’s the intangible joy and fulfillment we receive in being used as an instrument for assisting others in need.

I’ve experienced this not only in giving money and goods, but in investing time and energy in mentoring others, helping them to grow professionally, personally and spiritually, and being a resource for them as they work through various problems and issues in their lives. Volunteering in other ways can provide the same sense of gratification.

In fact, this giving of ourselves is probably the greatest of all forms of giving. We might not all have the same incomes, bank accounts or portfolios, but we all have the same 24 hours each day, seven days a week. How we use that time is a strong indicator of whether we’re self-focused or others-oriented.

The same holds true for God, the greatest giver of all. John 3:16, which most of us are at least somewhat familiar with, states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” That is the consummate definition of giving.

The Difference One Person Can Make

Many people need not so much a handout, but rather a hand up.

Apparently this has become the age of entitlements, with many people looking to Big Brother (aka the Federal government) for deliverance from whatever plight they find themselves in.

And many of us readily presume that’s the way it should be – whether it’s care for neglected children, unemployment assistance, alleviation of poverty, finding relief from troubled relationships, or whatever the dilemma might be. “Hey, Uncle Sam: We need help over here!”

As a result, we’re inclined to collectively shrug our shoulders and conclude, “What can I do?” Surrounded by a world filled with problems, it seems like any effort on our part to help wouldn’t amount to more than the proverbial drop of water in the ocean.

Recently, however, I met a man who happily did not take that attitude. Bruce, owner of an upscale clothing store, more than 20 years ago was approached by another man with a simple request: “I need help.”

The second man, Gary, had decided he could no longer settle for the hourly-wage, manual labor job he had. He desired to provide a better life for his family, but realized doing so would involve learning some things – including, as they used to say, how to “dress for success.” He had seen the sharp-looking men’s clothes in Bruce’s store window; one morning he mustered up the courage to go in and solicit some coaching so he could dress presentably for job interviews.

Bruce wasn’t obligated to help. Gary certainly didn’t fit the mold of his accustomed clientele. But Bruce did more than help. He offered Gary some valuable do’s and don’ts about proper attire and then, at pennies on the dollar, got him started with a wardrobe that would impress prospective employers.

Fast forward more than two decades: Gary has established a successful career as a sales executive, was able to extricate his family from a near-poverty level lifestyle, and now he’s eagerly imparting secrets of his success to others.

Bruce the clothier was just one piece in Gary’s career story, but an important piece. He saw a man eager to achieve a better life and willingly presented him with tools to help in doing just that.

I referred to Gary’s story in an earlier post. The book he’s written about his journey (which I’ve been privileged to edit) will be published soon. Suffice it to say, while millions are clamoring for the attention of the impersonal, uncaring governmental machine, each of us – like Bruce – should consider how we could make a positive contribution to the life of someone in our sphere of influence.

When Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), one reason is because when we give to benefit others, we receive the joy of knowing we’ve enhanced the life of another. Having met Bruce, I know he feels that way.

The Bible also offers this admonition: “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow’ – when you now have it with you” (Proverbs 3:27-28).

Who’s within your reach right now that needs a helping hand in one way or another? While the wheels of bureaucracy continue turning exceedingly slow, you might discover an opportunity to be a one-person change agent. And to not respond might deprive you of a very special blessing.

What About the ‘47 Percent’?

This sign was either created by a devious Liberal or
designed by a Conservative that's gotten off course.

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney ignited a political firestorm in talking about “47 percent” that purportedly do not pay Federal income taxes.

Romney described them as “dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it….” He then proceeded to declare his “job is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."

Take out gun. Load it. Aim at foot. Fire.

I take little stock in politicians throwing out statistics that can’t easily be substantiated. As someone's said, “figures don’t lie, but liars figure.”

And to clarify, I regard myself as neither Liberal nor Conservative, especially when it comes to helping people in need. Liberals, in my view, believe if you throw enough money at a problem it will go away. (Look at our national debt – how’s that philosophy working?) On the other hand, Conservatives take the “God helps those that help themselves” approach. In other words, “If those lazy so-and-so’s would just get off their posteriors….” I’m all for personal initiative, but in reality, for many people it’s not nearly that simple.

I do see government – with both Republicans and Democrats in the White House – playing “sugar daddy” for an increasing number of people. In an online video I saw recently, a speaker (most likely a Conservative) warns listeners, “You are being enslaved…enslavement to the idea that the job of government is to take care of you and your family because you can’t do it yourself.” He charges, “the government has engineered a built-in bias to stay poor.”

I don’t agree with all of this fellow’s statements. But I’ve long believed that since the 1960s, and probably before, well-meaning Federal assistance programs have created a mindset for generations of Americans that government needs to take care of them because, tragically, they can’t do it themselves.

Have you ever wondered about your responsibility to the poor? How do you feel when someone comes up to you on the street and asks you for spare change? Or someone in the mall parking lot requests help because they’ve “run out of gas”? I’ve been stung by pretenders enough times that I’m always skeptical, but part of me wonders whether there is a legitimate need and if so, how God would want me to respond.

The central problem, beyond the fact some in disadvantaged situations are convinced of their helplessness, is many that would like to help themselves lack the education, training or basic skills necessary. How can you get a worthwhile job if you can’t read or write? Even if they can, many in poverty have no idea how to fill out job applications, much less present themselves well in a job interview.

As I’ve learned from people that spend their lives every day working with the poor, most disadvantaged people don't need a handout, but a hand up. I’ll never forget a statement by the founder of an inner-city ministry we support: “The greatest poverty is the inability to give.”

If someone lacks the resources to give to meet the needs of their family, much less give to help others, what does that say about them? Sadly, for many people, it tells them they’re worthless. It strips them of the dignity of knowing they can contribute meaningfully to the world around them.

Perhaps that’s one reason Jesus stated, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

In the Scriptures it talks much about the poor and affirmsthat the responsibility goes both ways. In 2 Thessalonians 3:10 we’re told, "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." Interestingly, in Lenin’s socialist treatise of 1917, “The State and Revolution,” the Soviet leader made a remarkably similar declaration: “He who does not work shall not eat.”

But lest Conservatives rise up and say, “See, I told you!”, the Bible also says a lot about helping those in need. Here are just a few samples:

“He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy” (Proverbs 14:21). 

“He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God” (Proverbs 14:31).

“If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered" (Proverbs 21:13).

Many other passages like these in both Old and New testaments make the point: God expects us to help the disadvantaged, and they should be encouraged to learn to help themselves. Nowhere is a system endorsed that promotes permanent dependency.

I’m not smart enough to propose the ultimate solution to assisting the poor. Jesus Himself conceded we would always have poor people among us. But isn’t it time we stopped putting Band-Aids on this very real problem, stopped looking the other way, and started working toward a cure?