“Give and it will be given to you.” Luke 6:38

So far in November we’ve been talking about what makes people generous. Well, here’s a story that helps answer that question.  

Last Sunday I shared a story I got from Jay Height, Director of the Shepherd Community Center downtown. Here’s another one. Jay told me about an IMPD police officer who grew up in challenging circumstances. He was one of “the Shepherd kids.” He was a regular at the activities and sporting events growing up. He also found hope in Christ. 

Now its years later. He’s a police officer. He stopped by the center one day to give a handsome check to Jay. He said, “This is for lunch at the zoo.” Jay said, “Come again?” The man explained that his favorite experience at Shepherd growing up was the day each summer they got to go to the zoo. He loved it, but because the center had only enough money to buy entry tickets, the kids had to wait to eat lunch until they got back. The man said, “I always looked at other kids eating a hamburger or hotdog and thought, “I will know I am well off, if one day I can afford to go to the zoo and buy lunch. Well, I can do that now, but better than that, I want to do it for other kids. So take this check to buy lunches for all the kids you take to the zoo every summer.” 

Need a tissue yet? 

That story helps me understand the cycle of generosity. We give because we have received. When we realize others have blessed us we want to bless others. Some people in this world, unfortunately, just didn’t get much blessing. They didn’t have the benefit of a blessed family, or a Shepherd Center, or a caring community of love and faith. They live believing that taking is their salvation. But the more we give and the more we share and the more we love, the more we change the trajectory of unblessed living. 

Giving is a reward. So go buy someone lunch. 

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