The Living Word: Live to give
BY LEORA SCHMIDT
thelivingword@mail.com
When Glenn Coon was a dormitory student he sometimes became depressed and discouraged. At these times he learned a reliable remedy for his malady. He would visit another student whom he knew was also struggling emotionally. They would chat, laugh or cry together, sing hymns and choruses, read Bible verses, and pray together. After a while both of them felt uplifted and moved out of their dark mood, and parted with renewed courage.
Glenn later became a minister, a traveling lecturer, an author of books on answered prayers and prayer methods. His favourite theme song which he conducted with gusto and a wide grin, was “Everything’s all right in my Father’s house. There is joy, joy, joy.”
Have you ever seen a depressed bird? God gave them a song to sing, and they gladden the world around them, probably never knowing that their warbling warms the hearts of listeners. All nature lives to give! So can we - even as children. After many decades I still glow with the memory of offering my best gift to my father on his birthday - a scrawled love greeting in childish handwriting, and a nickel! I don’t remember the sacrifice, I only remember the afterglow of giving.
People who are the happiest are those who live to give, regardless of their circumstances. Consider the apostle Paul, chained to a Roman soldier in a deep, dark, damp, chilly, cheerless prison day after day for years. Instead of bemoaning his lot he wrote 13 letters (epistles) that now compose one-third of the New Testament that has encouraged and instructed millions of readers for centuries He was enabled to give to the world this hope-filled passage, “Rejoice in the Lord always … And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-8).
Jesus is the ultimate example of living to give. He spent His three decades in Palestine bringing healing, comfort, encouragement, and joy to many, despite the ill treatment afforded Him continually. As He was dying on the cross to provide salvation to any who will accept Him, in His last breath said, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). He offered forgiveness even though His guilty tormenters had not asked for it. When He resurrected and returned to spend a few days with His disciples He instructed them to wait for the Holy Spirit which would empower them for witness and for giving of themselves to bless others.
That power of the Holy Spirit is still available and prompts many to offer their gifts and talents to “live to give”. People have gone to many lands, with many vocations ministering just for the joy of sharing Jesus and using their talents to bless others. People who remain at home are givers, humbly working as a mother in the home, as tillers of the soil, and in a multitude of other occupations sharing their skills and talents, unselfishly giving of themselves. All those who know the principle of living to give are happy because their focus moves beyond self. The world is enriched by their unselfish service.
Perhaps you are one of those who unwittingly practices living to give, dear reader. When you think of your skills and talents that you use every day, if it is your motive to make the world a better place, and you work with a purpose, you are a blessing. We always gain if we “live to give”.
Years ago, a very despondent person was in his room contemplating suicide as a way out of his pain. Suddenly, through his open window he heard someone pass below on the street singing a hymn. It caught his attention that someone could sing. And that someone could praise God. The impulse to take his life left him. He regained his courage, and went on to become one who also lived to give. The one who bestowed that hope by his happy song never knew the encouragement he gave that day. We may never know how our giving will help someone else to live, and also give!