DUNDEE KZN: The importance of giving

As I was minding my business the other day, I was notified that there was someone by the gate.
The instruction was clear to me that I should go and check on that person and as I stepped out of the house I saw a man.

I approached and he politely greeted me and I returned the favour. We had a little conversation about the weather and the situation of the pandemic we are faced with at the moment. As I was about to step back to the house, he asked if I would be kind enough to share some cooking oil with him. Mind you, I’m not too familiar with this man but at times I normally see him passing by.

Cooking oil? I asked in dismay.
“Look man, I just came from the shops and I couldn’t afford such, so please HELP ME,” he said.

I looked at this man and through his eyes, I saw nothing but his pain, the pain of someone who is helpless. I told him to wait for me as I went inside the house to look for something. To cut the story short! I went inside the house, came back and offered him a certain amount of money (little I had) instead of the cooking oil.

“God sees you,” were his words. He gladly accepted and appreciated what I offered to him. I looked at him walking away and it intrigued my mind that once again I did something great.

Allow me to share with you these guidelines where I talk little about GIVING.

THE PRINCIPLE OF GIVING
Giving is something that should orchestrate itself from within. It must be a choice that is driven by a certain desire, mainly that desire must be of willingness to contribute something valuable that will have a positive impact to those in need. Giving must not be necessitated with the ideas and backed by the reasons that have nothing to do with UBUNTU.

(Matthew 6:3-4) “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you”

This bible quote serves as a main guideline when it comes to the principle of giving. Yes, you are doing a good thing by giving to the needy and I applaud you, but bare in mind that when you give, there’s absolutely no need for you to broadcast your act for everyone to see. Give to the needy because you see it necessary for you to do so, do not give just because you seeking recognition or expecting a reward, because already your father who sees what it is done in secret will reward you. It must be clear that it is not your duty to seek reward. 

WHO IS EXPECTED TO GIVE
Giving has no race, gender, age or certain requirements. When the act of giving is done accordingly and with no hidden agenda then I believe giving should have no restrictions. I normally say anyone with necessary means, possessed the free will to give. Since I consider and treat giving as something that comes from within, then giving must not be a burden. Those with a desire to give, their hearts must not be heavy. You cannot have a desire to give and have a heavy heart at the same time. If that becomes the case then you should not give because automatically what you doing won’t serve the purpose. Someone might ask, what is the purpose of giving? The purpose of giving is to create a space of peace and joy not only to the receiver but even to thyself as a giver, hence giving must be applied out of love and willingness.

(Acts 20:35) “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

It is indeed more blessed to give than to receive especially if it is done accordingly, some of us… we will never realise how blessed we are until we start giving. Already some people by giving they have managed to unlock their blessings. Giving does not necessarily go hand in hand with a status, giving has nothing to do with the state of containing plentiful quantities of something desirable.

WHAT TO GIVE
(2 Corinthians 9:7-8) “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. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”.

Today let me cultivate your mind and leave you with an assurance that God is not only able but HE is waiting to bless you abundantly as long as you give what is in your heart. Give what you can! I feel like there’s a need for me to emphasise that point thoroughly. Do not give what you can’t afford and no one said giving should only be in a context of money. For example, in our communities we have a high number of orphans, in that situation we can give love and hope, there are illiterate people that we can give, share knowledge with. There are many forms of hardships that people are faced with every day. It is inhuman to just sit and fold arms while we can help. There’s no greater gift than love.

In all things at all times, let us be encouraged to GIVE.

 
HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at dundee.courier@caxton.co.za.  Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394