“These commandments I give you . . impress them on your children.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NIV
“Generously share the good you enjoy, lessons you learn, and the faith in which you trust.”
My thoughts today are about “pass it on.”
With life comes the responsibility to pass on to others what you have received. Jesus taught the principle just this simply, “Freely you have received; freely give.” Matthew 10:8 NIV. Everybody has something to give to others; you have something to share that another needs. You can’t give what you do not have, but it’s also clear you must not keep to yourself all you have been given. “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:24-25 NLT. However little you think you have to share, there is someone somewhere around you who needs exactly what you could give.
At any mention of giving, the first thought always seems to go to the idea of tangible things like money, food, or shelter. But aren’t there intangibles that are frequently as helpful to people? Today’s verse is set in the context of home and family, and that is certainly where our responsibilities begin. “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them upon your children.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9 NIV. This transfer of truth and your experience – how God works in everyday life – is to take place in the very ordinary routines of daily life, relating things central to who you are and what you believe of practical and eternal importance.
It has been said, “Charity begins at home,” but that is not where it stops. These intangibles include enjoying and sharing the good you enjoy, the lessons you learn, and the faith in which you trust. Those three arenas include much of your life, and should certainly begin in your home and family. If it doesn’t start there, you won’t reach very far elsewhere. For my purpose today, I would like to broaden the personal and practical application of Moses’ instruction to the wider realm of your daily interaction with others.
Everything good that you have is given you. “These commandments that I give you today . .” The principle is simple and basic: whatever good has been brought into your life is your God-given resource to help and bless others. If you don’t use it, you won’t keep it.
What you give must come from your heart. “These . . are to be upon your heart.” Nothing is real to others that is not first real in you. Be authentic; be vulnerable; be honest. You don’t have to know everything to be certain of some things. You don’t have to be perfect to have worthwhile lessons learned. The greater lessons from your life may be your honesty about struggles and mistakes. It’s not your head-knowledge, but heart-experience, that helps others.
Generosity is most effective within the context of relationships. “Impress them . . when at home and along the road.” Be mindful of unexpected occurrences of serving as God nudges and opportunity presents, or receptive to friendships just beginning. But most often, you will be best received by those with whom you have some beneficial history. Who in your life could be helped from knowledge born out of what you have experienced? Pass it on!
My prayer for you today is that you practice the art of a generosity of spirit.