I Gave, I am giving, I Will Give

It’s Christmas Eve.  Today I was standing in the checkout line of a local branch of a small chain store.  A customer noticed that the cashier was standing “pretty stiffly” and kindly asked, “Why do you stand with a coat on and no smile?”  The cashier responded, “Because it’s cold in here.”   Then she pointed to the space heater that was behind her. The cash register was beside the door and the temperature outside had dipped below 20 degrees.  The rest of the store was extremely cold also. Another employee said, “That’s why we are all standing here together.”

The person in line said, “Hold on. I’ll go home and get a heater for you.”  When the person returned with a smile and a barely used space heater, the cashier said to the patron, “Come back and get the heater on the Monday (the day after Christmas).” The patron replied, “The heater is yours.  Please stay warm, and remember to spread warmth wherever you go in life.”

As we live each day, it is important to be aware of the opportunity to give.  Don’t let that opportunity pass by, as it gives you the chance to share the warmth of God’s love.

The word “Give” in our assignment as Christians should be a “continuous” or “progressive verb.”  It never stops!

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Matthew 2:11 .

The gift of the heater is a continuous one; the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh are ones that are not quickly used up; your gift at a discerned point of need is continuous.  Purpose within your heart to reflect each day making sure that you can say truthfully say,

“Yesterday I gave, today I give, tomorrow I will give.”