Give generously, for your gifts will return to you later. Divide your gifts among many, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.
We usually interpret passages like this one to mean we should give money generously, but I believe it’s referring to giving of ourselves. God gave gifts to all of us we can share with others. The Bible tells us to give and we will receive. How we treat others, we will be treated. Basically, we reap what we sow in every area of our lives.
In the workplace we have daily opportunities to give of ourselves to others. We can help our co-workers, our boss, or customers with our time, ideas, experience, knowledge, and our love. Sometimes we show people we care for them just by listening to them and treating them with respect and dignity.
This passage also tells us to divide our gifts among many. Our gifts are for us to share with everyone that crosses our path. I believe God puts people in our lives for a purpose. Some people are in our lives one time, and we have a one-time divine appointment. Other people, He puts in our paths for a long time or forever. He connects us with the people He knows we can help and we can receive help from them.
Therefore, treat the people He has given you with His love, and you will receive your reward right here in this life as well as in heaven.
Excerpt permission granted by Marcia Malzahn.
