II Chronicles 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Monday, March 01, 2010

Would you be o.k. with $20 less?

Through a series of events (and things we've heard recently) we are going to challenge ourselves to give away $20 a month. Not to anyone in particular...just to whoever we feel might needs it (or to whomever God might lead us to give it to). For instance, maybe we'll just hand someone a $20 bill...or maybe we'll get the bill for the car behind us at the drive thru...or maybe we'll buy the groceries of the person in front of us at Wal-Mart. Maybe we'll pick up the tab for a couple who looks like they might be out on a date without their kids!? The possibilities are endless and the prospect of doing this just gets me so excited! What's $20?? Maybe another meal out or a movie night? Maybe another shirt I don't need or a few video rentals we could do without? But imagine the delight of having someone buy your meal or your gas or your groceries!!? It's not the $20...its the THOUGHT! And besides that...I'm ready to teach my "needy, I-want-more, ungrateful self" that I have SO MUCH MORE than I could ever really NEED. There are people all over the world who really are in NEED...as well as people who are hurting emotionally and could use a kind gesture like this to show them that there is HOPE!
I'd like to encourage you to try it. You don't have to commit to it on a regular basis or anything...but just try it once. Give away $20 to someone who would never expect it and then just watch the confusion, delight, and thankfulness wash over their face! That feeling is something you can't buy with any amount of money!
And I haven't even mentioned all the promises God gives us when we become "givers"! What an opportunity to show God's love to someone! Remember...LOVE IS A VERB!

5 comments:

Tammy said...

I already knew how thoughtful you were Jen, but this just confirms it even more!! You'll get so much out of doing it too. I remember watching an Oprah years ago on RAK's and it's so true that giving is far better than receiving!! The best is when you do it at a drive-thru. Maybe I'll do it tomorrow in honor of your post :)

Rock Chef said...

This is a great idea, but be prepared for some odd reactions. Some might be insulted - "Hey, do I look like a bum?"

If you go ahead with this, please blog about it - I for one would love to see how it goes.

Rene' said...

I've got some interesting stories on this...one time I was at Reasor's and I noticed a man who was totaling everything up in his cart (he looked a bit under the weather too) and he started to walk away from his cart (like to leave). I tapped him and held my hand out with some money and said I'd like to buy his groceries. He looked at me a bit funny, wouldn't take it, and told me he was just going out to the atm to get his money. Which he did bc I saw him later in the checkout line. I didn't try to offend , but I think in his case he didn't want help from anyone no matter what. maybe too much pride unfortunately. I don't know about you, but no matter what I can affor, I truly appreciate it when others offer to pay for something. Its the giving heart that is so beautiful, I wouldn't stop it in anyone, not myself or someone else who was trying to give too.
On a funnier note, we were at Abuelo's a year or so ago, and Dan mentioned that he saw someone he knew across the room, they were young and newly married so he told the waiter he wanted to pay for their meal. weeellll, the waiter got the wrong table! We didn't realize this till after we noticed an old man walk out with his wife and look rather strangely at our table, then we noticed the table we had tried to pay for and they were getting out their wallets. ooops, the waiter had had them mixed up with the older couple-so we wound up paying for some strangers we didn't even know! kind of funny-hopefully it was a blessing to them ! :)

Rene' said...

great idea i might add too!

Amos said...

Great idea!!! Prepare yourself, because once you start, you can't stop, God will lead you more than you know. Giving your way through life is essential. You will might be nervous when God leads, and that is more the reason to step up and do it, because it will be right.