THE GIFT OF GIVING BY THEA BARBATO GIVING IS

12THMARCH 2008 THE SACRENA –GLOBAL GIVING DONORSPARTNERS WWWGLOBALGIVINGCOM1713 DEAR
13 JOB APPLICATION PACK – LEGACY & INDIVIDUAL GIVING
9 “OUR FORGIVING FATHER”—LUKE 15 PART 1 UNFORGIVEN THE

ACROSS 5 THE MONTH OF THANKSGIVING 6 A LARGE
ACTPS PERFORMANCE FRAMEWORK THE ART OF FEEDBACK GIVING
ADDING INFORMATION AND GIVING EXAMPLES CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER

THE GIFT OF GIVING

THE GIFT OF GIVING

By Thea Barbato


Giving is an interesting phenomenon, in a way. As small children, we’re not tuned in to giving per se, and sharing is certainly not part of our lexicon. It’s the “all about me” stage wherein young children are frequently loathe to give up what they wish to have for themselves. It’s a natural part of growing up, albeit, one that hopefully will not last a lifetime.


And then we all grow up. With that comes another perspective on giving. Some may still be holding on to the childhood behavior of wanting something all for themselves. Others may be more inclined toward giving, but it’s done from an obligatory sense and rather grudgingly at that. Still others choose to give, but the giving is done with an expectation of receiving something back, whether it be acknowledgment of their “gift” or another gift in kind. Then there are those who freely give, whether of their resources, their time, or of themselves, with no expectation at all aside from the sheer joy of giving.


If I were to honestly appraise my own giving philosophy throughout my life, I would say that it’s been all of the above. As a twin, I had to share many things with my sister, including a bicycle (that was interesting). So I tend to think my concept of giving was already a tad skewed since I was less than thrilled about not having my own things or even my own identity to some degree growing up. And yes, I do believe that giving (or the lack thereof) is very much a part of our identity and who we really are.


Before becoming a Christian, giving (for me) was typically not extended much beyond the standard birthday or other gift giving occasions. But then I became a Christian, and I will never forget that the very first gift I was given right after that was a Bible with my name on it. I have it still. And I also remember that, soon afterwards, I gave a Bible and a few other necessities to a young mother with minimal means. I’ve never forgotten that . . . ever. It was pivotal and significant to me, even now, almost 40 years later. It was for God to do what He chose with the gift I gave that young mother. But perhaps, just maybe, she was like me, and also, just maybe, almost 40 years later, that Bible still holds a special place in her life as does the one that I received so many years ago.


So . . . giving, in and of itself, is a gift. And giving is not just about giving a Bible. It’s about giving from what you’ve been given yourself, a tangible sharing from your heart and your life. Sometimes the giving is a sacrifice, sometimes it’s almost easy. Always, it’s a blessing.


Most of us know the verse Malachi 3:10. “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it (NIV).” But do we really believe it? We’re even invited to test Him in this verse! That’s rather amazing, I think. How can our faith be so small so as to not believe the God of Heaven who gives us permission to test Him in our giving?


I seek to become more of a giving person—not so much to be blessed (but, in truth, that would be lovely too) but more so to bless someone else with a gift that the Lord will use in a significant way in that person’s life. Our funds can help in many ways. Our time is invaluable when spending it on others. And our resources are His to be used for His purposes. Whatever it is, the gift we give to others is always a gift that He gives back to us through His fullness of joy in our lives. I know from my own experience that He is always, without fail, faithful in every way, and His Word is true. He simply is waiting for us to live it out in our giving as well as in the rest of our lives.


ANNEXUREII PROFORMA GIVING PARTICULARS FOR THE MOVEMENT OF ALL
APPLICATION FOR GIVING LECTURES ENGAGING IN RESEARCHES AND CONTINUING
BIBLOGRAPHY FORM GIVING CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE MIDDLE


Tags: giving by, our giving, giving, barbato