Thought #22

Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, beause God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.
- Genesis 33: 11

Money. Gifts. Giving to others. Our culture does not seem like much of the giving type. Is it all selfishness? Are we looking out for ourselves? Or do we have others' backs? I don't know, but I tell you the truth, it is all about giving. Blessing others.

Why don't you go to the streets of Boston and look for who's in need. Or how about you don't even travel that far; go to your downtown and look for the needy. Because they're not hard to find. I'll go as far to say that all of us are needy in one way or another. Because you know, it's not only about giving the homeless a dime or two and it's not only about sponsering some less fortunate child overseas. No. It's about all the people in your life that you love. And it's simply love.

Jacob and Esau were brothers. "But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept" (v.4). It's about family. It's about welcoming someone to be a part of your life. Community. Blessing others is just one of those things that brings people together no matter how far or close, or if she's a stranger or if she's family to you. Nothing matters except the giving.

"Please accept my blessing." This phrase says nothing of selfishness. But it screams of an urgency to bless someone. It begs the person "please." And the verse gives no reason for why Jacob brought it. But the fact is, he brought it to Esau. And he has liberty to give because God dealt graciously with him.

Oh, and just so you know, "God has dealt graciously," which means that He still will deal graciously. (Just a suggestion: don't skip over the little words when reading the bible because they clue you in on so many things.) In fact, God will deal graciously once we bless others. It's not really a give and take per se, even though it seems it might be. No where does Jacob give in order for God to give more in his own life. Rather, he simply gives: "Please accept my blessing that is brought to you." There is no other reason for giving presented in this verse.

So next time you are in Boston walking through Chinatown and you come across a beggar, then bless him with something. Hand him some change if he needs it. Maybe give him some cash. Or how about you ask him what he needs and then get it for him. I mean, the guy's need could be as simple as milk; so buy him a small carton of milk. We just don't know really until we ask. And we don't understand giving until we give.

What if next weekend you plan on visiting a grandparent in the nursing home? Just to spend time with someone who has watched you grow up and was there for you during much of your life. What if you were there for that person now?

Even more simply though, what if you chilled with a friend? More often than not she will need someone there, with her, just to know all is well in the world. Because even though she might not acknowledge a need, you're still being a friend, giving of yourself.

This whole giving and blessing thing is so easy. It's so much more simple than we make it out to be. Simple. And the opportunities abound for giving to another.

So stop thinking you need to be a millionaire in order to give the change in your pocket to the homeless man who accosted you. Then stop thinking of giving in monetary terms; that is very limiting especially limiting for how God can use you. And overall, stop thinking you can't give because you actually have enough, you just might not believe it.

It's time to be different: give.