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The Best Way to Give

Many years ago, our Bible college honoured a couple who had been good givers to the school. To look at them, you would not know that they were good givers, or that they even had the means to be such.  They did not drive new cars.  They did not own a big house.  They certainly never talked about how much money they made.  Apparently, though, they were very generous.
As the ceremony was winding down, someone said, “The best part about this couple is that they gave without remembering”.  I have never forgotten that phrase, because it struck me as being such a rare thing.
                I know some generous people, but I also know that some of those generous people find it hard not to talk about all the good they have done.  I know some people who have helped me, but I also know that they like to remind me about it once in while.  Personally, I know it is harder to do the right thing when no one else sees or acknowledges it.
                One of the most quoted verses about giving says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).  When this verse is taught, the emphasis is often placed on the “cheerful” part.  However, I wonder if we are missing something important in the phrase that says, “give what you have decided in your heart to give”.  I have always heard that defined in a monetary way as in “Give the amount you have chosen”.  However, what if the “deciding in your heart” has less to do with the amount and more to do with the way?  In other words, I have decided, in my heart, to give cheerfully.  I will give and let it go.  That is likely closer to the goal.
The Bible says, "Love keeps no records of wrongs" (I Corinthians 13:5).  Maybe, then, it is true too that love keeps no records at all.   What if I loved you so much that I kept no record of what I have done to help you.  No record of how much I have given away.  No record of whose turn it is to be generous now.
Think what would happen if we all gave without remembering.
That would be something to remember!

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