God says it’s more blessed to give than to receive, so why not multiply the encouragements God mercifully showers on you by sharing them with others? As a child of God, you’re meant to pass it on.
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SHAUNA: Hi, I’m Shauna on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. Lean in now as Joni talks about giving yourself away.
JONI: Not long ago I was doing an interview with a disability magazine, and the interviewer commented that I was, indeed, a very unusual quadriplegic. She said, “Joni, it is nice for you to smile and be positive, but you have a family; you have a husband and a job. And despite your pain, you are in good health. Most quadriplegics don’t have what you have. Most are in bed, or they cannot get a job, or their family is under stress. Doesn’t that make you feel, well, just a little guilty?”
I must confess, I have not been asked that question often, but I know—I just know that some people must think it, they must wonder the same. But do I feel guilty? Well, if all I did was ever sit around and enjoy my good health and my job and my family; if all I did was sit around and keep all those blessings to myself, I should feel guilty because I would be guilty. I’d be guilty of not passing on the blessings.
You see, that’s what Christians, that’s what God's children should do. If we have been blessed financially, if God has blessed us with good health or extra time; if God has blessed us with a big house, or certain gifts we are to use these things to encourage others. And it’s why there’s a Joni and Friends. Years ago, I started this ministry because I knew that there were other people with disabilities who lacked a support system, and good health. And if God had blessed me, oh, my goodness, I wanted to make certain to pass on the blessings to them. So, it’s why we do Family Retreats. It’s why we take wheelchairs and Bibles around the world. It’s why we advocate in churches on behalf of special-needs families.
I guess I take my example from Abraham; in Genesis 12, God says to him, “I will make you a great nation and I will bless you and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” You see, God did not want Abraham to keep the blessings to himself. God intended that Abraham should be just one link in a long chain of encouragements to be passed on to others. And the same is true for you! God blesses you so that you might enrich the lives of others. He comforts you so that you might pass on that comfort to others. He gives you wealth, so that you might give to others. We even suffer, not for our benefit only, but so that others may learn how to patiently endure by watching our example. So, if God has blessed you in some way, do not hoard it; do not keep it to yourself; don’t be stingy about your blessings. Get that hot potato off your lap and give it away.
Do not be afraid that if you let go of your time, or your treasure or your talent that you’ll have less. Remember, God says it’s more blessed to give than to receive anyway, so why not multiply the encouragements God mercifully showers on you by sharing them with others, because as a child of God, you’re meant to pass it on.
SHAUNA: Friend, if you were encouraged by this powerful lesson from Joni—and I know you were—then why not go to joniradio.org where you’ll find not only this program, but so much more. And invite your friends to do the same! Joni has a whole storehouse of biblical lessons and inspiration just waiting for you at joniradio.org. Take some time today and pass on the blessings you find at joniradio.org. And finally, one more thought: Do not be fearful about giving yourself away. This is Shauna on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope.
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