You cannot share what you do not have

I heard a story shared by Brian Zehr at a meeting a few weeks ago and I find myself repeating the story and pondering it a lot lately so I thought I would share it.

Brian was doing some evangelistic ministry in Daytona Beach one summer. It was very hot and his team had been on the beach for several hours. He decided to break away from the team and take refuge in one of the beach front stores. He picked a t-shirt shop for no other reason than it had A/C. As he stood in the corner basking in the refreshing air, he witnessed a small boy, probable about 10, trying to get the attention of some older boys he was with. Whether they were older siblings or just acquaintances Brian was not sure, but whoever they were doing their best to ignore this young lad. The boy was trying to show them a particularly funny shirt he had found, but no matter how hard he tried they continued their ambivalence. Finally, in defiance the young boy proudly announced he was going to buy this new found treasure. This did get their attention and as the precocious young consumer marched to the counter, the parade of onlookers followed. The proud, soon to be owner, dug through his pockets, pulling out crumpled dollars and miscellaneous coins. The cashier counted his fortunes and announced to the assembled audience he was $2.30 short. The cynical crowd burst forth in laughter and began taunting the boy for his failed transaction. Brian watched for a moment and decided to end the torture and stepped forward. Brian offered to pay the balance. In that moment the boy gazed at Brian as if he was the Savior himself riding on the clouds. The look quickly changed when Brian realized he had left his wallet back on the beach and had no way to rescue the lad.

Brian's application point was you cannot share what you do not have. If you have not structured your life to be generous you will not have it when you need it most. I find myself constantly challenging myself - how can I be more generous? Well, have more to give. I am not blessed with endless riches but what God has given me, whether it be my possessions or my life, I can give it. This has most been applicable in my spiritual life, which is what Brian was challenging us on. If I am not investing in my spiritual life, when I need it most, it will be as absent as Brian's wallet that day. I give from my abundance and my abundance comes from God.