It Is More Blessed to Give than To… Sell Your Stuff

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I’m a young mom on a tight budget. When I get an idea of something extra I’d like to buy (a headboard for our daughter, a swing set, new shrubs), inevitably, my husband gives me “that look” and says, “Great. How are you going to pay for that?”

My usual reply is, “No problem! I’ll just sell some stuff!”

However, as soon as I round up stuff to sell from around our home, I begin to think of other moms, or perhaps young couples, in my life who might have need of it.

And thus I’m left with an internal struggle. Do I choose me and my wants, or do I choose generosity?

By the time I peel back the layers and arrive at that question, there is really only one choice to make. Generosity.

As Hebrews 13:16 says,

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (ESV)

I know in my head that it’s generosity that holds eternal value. It’s generosity that pleases God –that matters.

 

As the Luke 6:38 says,

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (ESV)

However, sometimes my heart needs …a little instruction. Because it’s easy for me to feel that my little wants are a priority.

So I’ve developed some self-talk to help keep my heart in line. When I look at the things I’m ready to part with, I say to myself, “I’d rather give it away, but if I can’t, then I’ll sell it.”

It’s amazing what that does for my mindset! It also prevents me from getting greedy by calling the situation what it is.

And you know what? That good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over thing? We have and are experiencing that… like amazingly.

And you know why? At the root of it, it’s because other Christ-followers are making the same, exact choice. They are showing generosity to us so that all our needs are met in Christ.

I could go into detail about the generosity that’s been show to us in recent years, but suffice it to say that it far exceeds any generosity that we have shown (or have been able to show).

That’s the Body of Christ in action. That’s how this is supposed to work. And just because you don’t have a lot doesn’t mean you can’t be outrageously and sacrificially generous. Remember the woman in the Bible who gave two pennies?

So next time you go to sell your stuff, let me challenge you to first stop and consider if there’s anyone in your life who has need of it.

If so, don’t sell it. Give it away!

 

Additional Scriptures:

“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” 1 John 3:17 (ESV)

“Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:33-34 (ESV)

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV)

“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” Romans 12:13 (ESV)

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