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. Proverbs 11:24-25
“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?
And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?
And what is fear of need but need itself? Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, the thirst that is unquenchable?
There are those who give little of the much which they have—and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.
And there are those who have little and give it all. These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.”
Kahlil Gibran in The Prophet (Project Gutenburg, 2019) 23.
On the way home from Egypt I looked through the pictures on my phone. This awesome shot from Abu Simbel celebrates the greatness of the Egyptian kingdom. But it did not last.
The Christ of Christmas is King of an everlasting kingdom. His greatness exceeds Egypt.
As I sit in self-quarantine, I am catching up on emails and loved this article by a dear friend and GTP supporter, Jeff Haanen, “Why Give? Kahlil Gibran on Generosity.” Check it out. It drove me to go read Gibran on giving.
It also led me to meditate on today’s Scripture, two of my favorite verses in Proverbs. It reminds me to empty myself and the resources that I have in service to God trusting Him to refill my coffer.
It’s been a new experience as a CEO because I am now praying for God to fill the coffer for a team that is emptying itself in service around the world. Could you pray with me for God fill the GTP coffer? I will pray the same for you.
God, please supply our needs as we fearless give ourselves and possessions. May we not bury bones in fear but demonstrate our belief through generosity. Care for us by your Spirit we pray in Jesus name. Amen.