How Low Will You Go

Day 5 - Honeycomb

Someone once said, there are three kinds of givers—the flint, the sponge, and the honeycomb. To get something out of a flint you must hit it over and over—and then you get only sparks. To get water out of a sponge you must squeeze it. The more pressure you use, the more you will get. But the honeycomb just overflows with its own sweetness. Love is what makes the difference between the flint, the sponge, and the honeycomb. Generosity is simply a byproduct of love. Someone who is stingy does not have a money issue. They have a love issue. Jesus told us that, "God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Giving is at the heart of loving.

Paul wrote a letter to Timothy and warned him that, “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” God never intends for us to love money. He intends for us to love people with our money. If you love money, you will end up using people to get more money. But, if you love people, you will use your money more to bless them.

Here are some simple ways that we can be generous with those around us. Next time you are in line at Starbucks or going through the drive through at a fast food restaurant, try paying for the person’s order behind you. Just tell that person that Jesus loves them and He put it on your heart to let them know.

Do you ever come across people on street corners with cardboard signs that say, “Will work for food”? Try buying several $5 McDonalds gift cards and keep them in your wallet, purse, or car. Then hand them out to people who are begging for food and let them know that Jesus cares about them.

One of my favorite experiences with generosity was the opportunity we had to take a group of students to Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington DC. We visited amputee soldiers just returning from the war in Iraq. We brought them backpacks with brand new iPods, iTunes gift cards, Wal-Mart gift cards, phone cards to call their families, and basic toiletries that they would normally have to go out and buy. What an honor and a blessing it was to be a little generous with our brave men and women who had already given so much to protect our freedom.

Challenge: Thank God for 5 ways He has expressed His generosity to you. Then go out to dinner and tell your waitress that you’d like to purchase dinner for a table near you (ask God to show you which one). Write a note to those sitting at that table, letting them know that Jesus loves them and ask the waitress to deliver it for you as you leave. Be sure to leave your waitress an extra large tip as well.

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