Luke 3:11

New King James Version

¹¹ He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”

When we give, the societal norm gives from a place of lack and of pity and really with the greatest lack of care, in alot of instances, if not most.

I have volunteered in several types of thriftstores, food pantries and community kitchens.

The results – appalling. This is what I have seen:

1. Clothes are not washed and not required by law to be washed (Imagine what is on these clothes that immediately get sorted to sell) Yuck, dangerous and hazardous to health in some cases. Let’s flip this and give clean clothes. Wash before you give.
2. Stains galore on clothing. People give what they don’t want. People give what is ruined. Let’s flip that shall we? Let’s give out of surplus.
3. Clothes are torn and missing buttons. Let’s flip this and check what we give so this doesn’t happen.
4. Food – just went to a food pantry today and this is what happened:

Me: Please do not give me anything expired.

Volunteer: I have this bag of lettuce. Do you want that?

Me: Is there a date on it?

Volunteer: I don’t see one but it looks ok.

Me: I do not want to receive anything that doesn’t have a date.

Volunteers: Looks over some fruit and says “I don’t know.”

Me: When I am not sure about something I don’t do it. She adopted that belief in that moment too.

Volunteer: Holding eggs. Another volunteer interceded and checked the date. She then put them back in the fridge.

Enough said on that.

While in the Kitchen.

1. Pay attention to what God shows you while you are in your kitchen, pantry and fridge. Is there something nudging at you? Look into it. Read the ingredients. Check to see if it is manufactured food or from a legit farm. If you have extra, pack it up and give it. Trust me, when you turn your heart to giving God will have someone show up in your life to receive it.
2. This morning a storage tray fell to the floor. I always pay attention to what falls and ask myself what the message is. I realized that I had two of them and then remembered the above passage. I brought it with me as I ventured out and attempted to attain fresh produce from 2 Centers that claim to provide them. Both struck out big time. BUT, I was able to get some fresh hard boiled eggs and paired it with the container to give while there.
3. Think 3 times before you give:

A. Would I want to receive this?

B. Would I eat this?

C. Would I wear this?

Treat others like you want to be treated. Those in need are not our dumping grounds.

Thank you, in Jesus’ name. Amen.