THE GIFT WE GIVE....REALLY

Money.  Service.  Counsel.  Transportation.  What are some of the many ways we as Christians truly give to those around?

For me the thing I conscientiously give is that I believe in people.  We want others to know that if no one else does, we believe in them.  This is gold. 

How many do you think interact with us who feel they are failures?  Or, at least are failing?  How many live in mistaken comparison and conclude less than truthfulness about their value?

I believe that even those we tend to mark as successful, or beautiful, or influential have grave doubts about themselves.  That's a secret I know in effectively working among the rich and famous.  I know many doubt themselves and wish they were like someone else.  Odd, don't you think?  The infamous feel precisely the same.

This move of faith is to be especially applied to children.  They are constantly looking for signals that they are okay as is.  Must they live wishing they were like someone else? They really need us to believe they are valuable.....remarkably valuable.  Living in comparison wreaks havoc with all of us.  When we compare incomes, cars, houses, jobs, locations, etc., God says we are without understanding...II Cor. 10:12.

If you want to do something with immediate return, believe in one who feels he or she is a failure.  Isn't that what Jesus did?  A man up a tree that nobody regarded?  Jesus went to his house.  A woman at a well with a sordid past?  Jesus ask for her help.  Jesus asks us to believe that he believes in us.  This is major.

The gift we give others is to believe in them when they just can't believe in themselves any longer.  Prisoners and homeless.....these are in such need of eyes---believers eyes---that see.  And you....I think you get more done when others believe you can get more done effectively.  That's what I think you do....great stuff for others.  It's your gift.