THE ART OF GIVING 2

THE ART OF GIVING PART 2 By Nicholas Mawira, There is that old rickety chair in your garage that you would not mind disposing; or that shirt that you have not worn for years and it sits in the darkest corner of your wardrobe, you’ve even forgotten you had it. You would most definitely do anything to rid your wardrobe of it anyway. When I bought a new set of coffee stools, I had to make space in my house by removing an old coffee table and putting it at the waiting bay of my house. If I was to wake up one morning and found it gone, it most definitely would not be a police case. While we would not mind losing or throwing away that piece of furniture or clothing item, we would readily offer it for “charity” to one we think may need it. What would you call that; charity or disposing? I remember the biblical story of Cain and his brother Abel. When the two went to offer sacrifice to God, Abel, who reared livestock offered to God his the first born of each of his flock; the cleanest and healthiest of them all, unlike Cain his brother who was a farmer, who offered the worst of his crop and fruits. We are called to give to God by way of giving to the least of the “brothers”. – Mathew 25:40. The widow who offered her all in the synagogue offers a great challenge to the contemporary Christian - Mark 12:42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury;” Let us offer to God, not what we would be better of disposing or discarding as it were. Would you for instance offer stale food to the hungry? No, for that belongs to the bin. On the same breath thus, do not offer to others what you have declared worthless and unfit, for you shall be taking after Cain. Do and give unto others what you wish done or given to you. That is how you shall receive the ultimate blessing that comes with the act and art of giving, of charity. Make this Lenten season a season of giving and reaching out to the needy. It may not just be giving in material form but even in ideas and time that may leave that other person feeling the warmth and goodness of Christ. - Mawira Nicholas is a reknown author and writer for connection33