Jesus said “Give to everyone who asks you…” (Luke 6:30). We are blessed with much and there are many ways we can give—emotionally, spiritually and physically. I have tried to live by these words to be a giver, especially when someone asks something of me, but sometimes this is difficult.
One day, I was on my way to my friend’s apartment and just outside of the building, I met Christina.
Christina noticed the bag I was carrying and immediately complimented it. She said, “I love your bag! It’s very, very nice. Where is it from?”
“It’s from France. This bag was a gift from my mom who bought it there and brought it to Canada.” I could tell Christina really liked this bag.
“I can give it to you.” I said, even though I really loved this bag too. At that moment, I began questioning myself, “Should I give it to her?” It wasn’t easy to give. There was a lot of sentiment to the bag, and a lot of memories attached to it. My heart was thinking about myself. Then Jesus’ words about giving to others spoke deeply to me, and my heart began to fill with joy.
Then Jesus’ words about giving to others spoke deeply to me, and my heart began to fill with joy.
Christina was completely shocked that anyone would be willing to give something significant like this. She replied, “It’s so important to you. It means so much to you. How can you give this to me? Are you joking?”
“Yes, I can give it to you!” I repeated with confidence.
“How can anyone do this? I am surprised that there are people who are like this. How can anyone give so generously like this?” She replied. “Are you a Christian? I am Christian... I used to read the Bible before, but now I don’t. I stopped going to church. It has been a while since I talked to God.” She started to look very sad.
“Jesus teaches us to give, and when we give, Jesus will bless us.” I replied. “When you read the Bible, you will begin to see that we are loved, and in what we do, we can see Jesus and his work in us.
Christina began to cry. I continued, “This is just an example of how God gives to us. God gave us His Son to pay the price we couldn’t pay, so that we could be saved and set free.”
"I am surprised that there are people who are like this. How can anyone give so generously like this?"
I wanted to encourage Christina. “Remember the reason you now have this bag.” I said. “Everytime you see this bag, it is a reminder for you to see God’s love for you, and to seek Him, so you can rebuild your relationship with God. We love our family members, and we love many things God gives us. They are precious to us, but the Bible tells us not to love things in this world more than God. God alone is who we need.”
I handed her the bag, and she took it and said, “I won’t forget what you’ve told me.”
“Everytime you see this bag, promise me that you will try to read your Bible. As you read, you will receive from God.”
She smiled and nodded and we exchanged contact information, and we continue to keep in touch.
This is just an example of how God gives to us.
I love when God opens doors and presents opportunities like this. It brings me joy and excitement how we can find ways to show others how much God loves us, and how much He gives. This interaction with Christina reminded me not to hold onto things and be more attached to things than God. I was so happy to see that God used this opportunity to get her attention and bring her back into a close relationship with Him.
Christina tells me that recalling this encounter, she would cry a lot. She has a hard time believing anyone would be so generous, but I remind her that when we are moved by God’s love, and His giving of His Son, it fuels us to want to give generously. Challenged by Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 9:7, I want to grow in being a cheerful giver. If someone asks, I want to be able to give things that people need right away. I want to give, because I love God.
"When we are moved by God’s love, and His giving of His Son, it fuels us to want to give generously."
I believe God uses us to tell others about Him, and often He presents us with opportunities to use things or situations to share.
Perhaps Christina didn’t need the bag, but maybe she just needed that reminder that she is still loved by God and that He wants to be in her life.
God blesses us so that we can bless others, and for them to experience His love and perhaps they might be moved to want to bless others.
Written by Ani
(October 2024)
Ministry in Canada