Sharing
Teaching the concept of sharing to a young child is a struggle—yet important nonethe- less. Why? Because when kiddos are young, they want what they want when they want it. If not taught then—when? It’s good to begin sooner rather than later lest it become more difficult as the years go by. It’s not a once and done deal either because the concept of sharing sort of expands as we journey through life.
For example, as a child, with the money gained via allowances or chores, little ones may choose to buy a gumball or two. As we grow, much like the child, we want to spend money as we choose. Hopefully, as we grow, learning to share comes in many forms and thus, we may choose to share our money— or not.
So focused on the dollar we can be that we create stress by trying to covet funds that are meant to go to others. What’s that you say? The concept of doing it all ourselves seems to be an interesting phenomenon raging war. So quick we can look up any information and think we can plow full ahead as a do-it-yourselfer. Now hear me loud and clear. I am not opposed to learning new things. I’m not opposed to saving money. In fact, do-it-yourself jobs are worthy of praise. However, there can be a cost.
How can do-it-yourself jobs be more costly? How might we know when saving money isn’t always perhaps the best thing to be doing? Here’s my thoughts—take em or leave em…however, when others have gifts and talents we need, hiring it out isn’t always such a bad idea. When we utilize the gifts others have, it’s an offering of sorts. You offer validation and acknowledgement to others for this particular area of expertise. In other words, you receive from others that which they have to give.
The hair dresser down the road comes to mind as they have studied the profession and practiced for years. They may just lack a full schedule because we pick up the sheers and begin watching videos on how to get-er-done. Yet, it’s win/win when the sheering begins by those who may help us get the job done. We come out looking good and they have delivered their goods.
The painter in town could use the work as could the small furniture store up the road use the business. We skim the internet and discover we could save ourselves a few bucks by purchasing elsewhere. Yet, the small-town delivery service comes with a friendly smile and the difference in cost helps employ my neighbor. My vote? Share your money.
I’m all about keeping a budget, but not at the expense of my neighbor. Supporting one another is a good thing. It encourages and builds community. Building community builds up your neighbor and so it goes. In the mix are not just products or services that are purchased, but conversations that enrich not only pocket books but hearts. And most oft, hearts need connections as there’s value in pick-me-up conversations while knowing one’s talents are appreciated.
Oh, I can do lots of things myself, but I choose to go to the local green house where someone else has taken the first steps of planting those seeds months before I even enter in to the equation. Cutting up my own meat sounds good, but going to the local butcher allows them to make the cuts so I don’t have to. I appreciate that. The butcher shares their talent, and I share my money.
God shared His Son with us and even paid the price. What do we get to do in return? We get to not only receive the Good News, but share this Good News with others. Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Therefore, go forth and teach all nations.” Hebrews 13:16 says. “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for such sacrifices God is pleased.”
It sort of goes back to that verse in Proverbs which says, “Teach a child in the way he should go,and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” As we teach little ones to share, they too, will one day teach others to do the same. And so it goes. Amen.
