Archive for the ‘Giving’ Category

The Bicycle Daddy Made for Me

I didn’t know bikes sold in stores in shiny red and blue;

My bike was made of junk yard parts my daddy sorted through.

My brother and my sisters all had bikes that Daddy also made;

And learning to ride my own bike was something that I craved.

My Daddy promised me a bike when

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Two Brothers

Two brothers worked together on the family farm. One was married and had a large family. The other was single. At the day’s end, the brothers shared everything equally, produce and profit.

Then one day the single brother said to himself, “It’s not right that we should share equally the produce and the profit.

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Stevie

I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie. His placement counselor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy. But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and wasn’t sure I wanted one. I wasn’t sure how my customers would react to Stevie. He was

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Marble Trader

During the waning years of the Depression in a small southeastern Idaho community, I used to stop by Brother Miller’s roadside stand for farm-fresh produce as the season made it available. Food and money were still extremely scarce and bartering was used extensively.

One particular day Brother Miller was bagging some early potatoes for

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The Golden Gift

Some time ago, a friend of mine punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight, and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the tree.

Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said,

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Giving

I had a professor in seminary who told us one day that there were four stages of giving, which he then proceeded to illustrate. “The first stage is like a man who stands up in church and says, ‘Hey, everybody, look! I’m putting a hundred dollar bill in the offering!’ The second stage is

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Gifts to the Poor

From the Jewish philosopher, Maimonides 12th century

There are eight degrees or steps in the duty of charity. The first and lowest degree is to give, but with reluctance or regret. This is the gift of the hand, but not of the heart.

The second is, to give cheerfully, but not proportionately to the

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Every Gift Was Handed Back

This year I stopped to contemplate the kind of gift I’d bring To lay at the nail-scarred feet of my Gracious Heavenly King. He’s given my very life to me, and the blessings I hold dear, But I can’t come up with anything appropriate, I fear.

Every time I give Him something, He more

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Eight Gifts that Do Not Cost A Cent

THE GIFT OF LISTENING… But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening. THE GIFT OF AFFECTION… Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back, and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends. THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER… Clip

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The Christmas Gift

A friend of mine named Paul received an automobile from his brother as a Christmas present. On Christmas Eve when Paul came out of his office, a street urchin was walking around the shiny new car, admiring it. “Is this your car, Mister?” he asked.

Paul nodded. “My brother gave it to me for

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