How well do you share? Are you willing to share food? Do you share clothing? Will you allow someone else to use tools? Do you lend your vehicle to others? What are you unwilling to share? What is it you refuse to give up?
If we grew up with siblings, there is a good chance we were taught to share. It is a lesson we teach our children. So, what happens as we get older? Why do we stop sharing? Many of us become selfish, refusing to share with others.
What does it mean to share? It means to give up part of what we have to someone else. For those items that are disposable or perishable, it means we give them away. We do not expect to get them back. For instance, we give food and drink to others. For other items that are reusable, it means we allow someone else to use them for a period of time or we may give them away as well. For example, we may loan someone a shirt, a drill, or our car.
It is particularly important to share with someone who needs it. As we grow into adulthood, we start recognizing people in need. We see those who are less fortunate. We may even say it is sad to see people in such a state. Yet, if we do nothing to help when we are able, we demonstrate a lack of faith and love for one another (James 2:14-17).
Sharing can mean sharing our time, listening to someone in pain. But it also may mean giving up our possessions. This is where we find ourselves being selfish. Oh, we may be willing to provide someone a cup of coffee, but don’t ask us to give up our favorite shirt. We may be willing to provide a meal, but don’t ask us to give away a piece of furniture.
Folks, we are called to give to those in need. If we were to take a good hard look at how much we’ve been blessed with compared to most of the rest of the world, we would be ashamed of ourselves for being so selfish, hording whatever we can acquire. Here is a key point we should remember; we cannot out give God. It may seem contrary based on human thought, but God gives more to us when we are willing to share with others.
I pray we all share with one another. I pray we bear one another’s burdens. I pray each one of us gives up our selfish attitude in order to become more like Jesus. Be joyful. Be hopeful. Be patient. Be faithful. Share with one another. Be hospitable. Be more like Jesus.
Romans 12:9-13 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Marty Pressey 