a lesson from Rebekah –
- When you give generously, you get back more than you ever thought possible. We set the standard of what we receive, by what we give. Give what you can; you will be amazed what God will give you in return.
- When you give generously, your loved ones will be blessed too. When Abraham’s servant revealed who he was, he brought out gold articles and rich garments and gave them to Rebekah. But he also gave precious things to her mother and brother. The rewards of your generosity will always overflow and touch the lives of those closest to you
- When you give, the impact of your generosity will often outlive you. In the moment of giving you cannot imagine how your actions might impact the lives of others in the future. Imagine what the world would be like if Michelangelo had said, ‘I do not do ceilings,’ if Noah had said, ‘I do not do boats,’ if David had said, ‘I do not do Goliaths,’ if Mary had said, ‘ I do not do virgin births,’ if Paul had said, ‘I do not do letters,’ and if Jesus had said, ‘I do not do crosses.’ A lifestyle of generous giving will outlive you and bless those who follow you.
Written by Tim Hetzner, President of Lutheran Church Charities and used with permission.
Thank you for sharing this story…as I sat in silent meditation…I envisioned one golden strand outstretching from a gift-giver which then connected to the gift-receiver…from which two or more golden strands grew outward like sprouting roots reaching outward to other gift-receivers…the vision kept multiplying and multiplying…connecting soul after soul. In my mind’s eye I looked down upon a night scene of the world…with golden strands rhythmically moving…connecting…one soul to another…Light after Light…we are all connected!