St. James                  Lutheran Church

The Return on Giving

A drowning man gestures frantically to a man standing at the edge of a swimming pool. Splashing his way toward the side of the pool, the drowning man hollered, “Here, let me give you my hand.” The man took his hand and pulled the distressed man to safety.

Afterward, the lifesaver said, “I find it unusual that you said, ‘Let me give you my hand’, rather than asking me to give you my hand.”

The rescued man replied, “I work for a charitable organization, sir. I’ve discovered that people are always more willing to receive than they are to give!”

While our human tendency may be to receive rather than give, the Gospel says that giving is the most productive way to receive! Whatever we extend to others returns to us multiplied. This principle has been recognized by the business community. Donald David has said: The best basis for being advanced is to organize yourself out of every job you’re put in. Most people are advanced because they’re pushed up from people underneath them rather than pulled by the top. Find ways to give to those around you today. Be generous in your praise and encouragement. Give advice on how to do specific tasks more efficiently or with greater quality. The more you do to help others in their work, the easier your own workload will become.

“Give and it will be given to you: Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” Luke 6:38

God bless your giving,

The Evangelism Team