Welcome to the Set Your Mind Above podcast, where every day, ordinary events teach us extraordinary eternal truths! I am your host BJ Sipe, and I’m so glad you’ve tuned in today! I am excited to share my life & my faith with you, and I sure hope you’ll do the same with me along the way.
I found my way to the coffee shop yesterday to finish up some last-minute touches on my class for the evening. None of the other regulars were there, which meant that my favorite spot in the corner was available. Two of my favorite baristas were also working yesterday, so we visited for a few minutes before I grabbed my coffee, got set up, and got to work. Usually while I’m working I like to stay observant to what is going on around me, especially when I’m able to strike up a conversation with someone about spiritual things. But yesterday I was zoned in, pretty much completely oblivious to anything else that was going on around me. Some time went by before I looked up and noticed that the baristas were ecstatic about something, high fiving and smiling from ear to ear. I decided to investigate, so I walked up and asked them what was going on. “Did you see that man that just came in wearing the pink suit?” they asked. “A pink suit?” I said, “No, but man I wish I would have, that’s awesome.” “Oh, that’s not the awesome part,” they continued, “He’s always so kind. Usually, he orders a tea and just hands us a $10 bill, giving us a $5-6 tip each time. But today he paid for his drink, and then put a $100 bill into the tip jar and told us to split it!” I couldn’t believe it, how wonderful for those hard-working ladies! They started visiting about how much of a difference that extra unplanned $50 would be for them both, and I just couldn’t help but smile and wish I had met this man so I could have thanked him for his generosity. A tip is an opportunity to show your gratitude, which is why it is called gratuity. The word goes back to the 1520’s actually, a French word taken directly from the Latin meaning “free gift” or “freely given.” However, a gift that is demanded is not really a gift at all. But when someone freely gives generously from the heart as an act of kindness and grace, that is a true gift. For someone to reach into their pockets, no matter the amount, and share what they have worked hard for with others is an act of a selfless heart. Sadly, we live in a culture where charity & giving to others aside from special holidays is not practiced by many. What people earn they spend on themselves, often going into debt for things they don’t need. I’m grateful for people like the man in the pink suit, and I hope that his character will serve as an example to others for years to come.
You see, God has blessed us with the ability to work for what we have to not only care for ourselves, but also to care for others. While everyone loves to receive gifts, it is in the giving of gifts that a greater blessing is found. When Paul spoke with the Ephesian elders, he told them, “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (Acts 20:35) A wise man once told me some years ago this principle: You learn. You earn. You give freely. I will never forget these words, and how they echo the truth spoken by our Lord. One might consider these things and ask how can it be that giving is better than receiving? To answer this, we must consider several principles taught to us in Scripture. First, that those who sow sparingly will reap sparingly. Consider 2 Corinthians 9:6, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” It is truly more blessed to give because we reap a different kind of reward. By selfless acts of service towards others, we are storing up for ourselves treasure in heaven. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and it leads to great covetousness and greed. However, if we are free from the love of money but have a heart full of love for others, then money can be used as a tool to better serve the kingdom of God & those in need, and you will be rewarded for it. Second, we must give freely and not reluctantly. Consider what is recorded in the very next verse in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” While sometimes we might be given an opportunity to be generous spontaneously, we must make a habit of planning to share and give to others who have need. It is a matter that should be close to our heart, that we have budgeted out liberally what we can do regularly for others. And when you give, do not do so because you feel compelled or forced to do so, for such a gift is not a gift at all. A true gift comes from the heart, and such a generous heart is loved by God who has given every good and perfect gift to us. Finally, whatever you give you do so in secret. Jesus taught in his sermon on the mount, ““Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1-4) If you are charitable or generous with selfish motives, you have done nothing righteous at all. To seek your own glory or be thought well of by others will be your only reward. But if your giving is in secret, done anonymously when possible and without sharing with others what you have done, then your Father who does see will glorify you himself. I pray that God might help to mold both my heart and yours when it comes to the needs of others to learn to be aware, to care, and then to share.
Thank you so much for listening to today’s episode. Tune in, Tuesday-Friday’s, as a new podcast episode will be uploaded each day. Also, be sure to follow the Facebook page for the Set Your Mind Above podcast for future announcements and weekly video sessions that are uploaded on Saturdays. As you have the opportunity, share these thoughts with your friends and family, and share with me what important lessons you are learning from every day, ordinary events. Until next time know that I love you, that God loves you, and may we all each and every day set our minds above!