Prepare to Share

My moments of greatest blessing have been those in which I had something to share. The truth is:

"In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35)


As I reflect upon my own missed opportunities to share, I see several requirements...

Our hearts must be prepared to share. We must reckon with the fact that everything we have is from God, rather than something we have earned or deserve. "Freely you received, freely give."  (Matthew 10:8) " What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7)  "If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother;"(Deuteronomy 15:7)

Of course, this includes our talents, our gifts, not just our material possessions.
 
We must also seek opportunity. "So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." (Galatians 6:10) " Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share..."(1 Timothy 6:18) "Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you." ( Matthew 5:42) "And he would answer and say to them, "The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise." (Luke 3:11)

If we fail to plan to provide, not only for ourselves, but for others, when those opportunities present themselves, we will not be prepared. "He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need." (Ephesians 4:28) 

Still, we cannot share that which we do not possess. "But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you:..."(Acts 3:6)  This reminds me of another post I wrote some time ago, entitled "She Hath Done What She Could" 

Which brings me to the last and most important point. The gospel of Jesus Christ,with the joy of His salvation, the blessed hope of eternal life and His peace that passes human understanding that it brings, is surely our most valuable treasure . It is the most important gift we can share with others.  This, also, requires preparation...time spent with Him, in His Word, in prayer, with His saints.  "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" (1 Peter 3:15)