Our whole lives we’re taught the concept of “give and take.” You do for me, I do for you. I compromise, you compromise. I scratch your back, you scratch mine.

With Jesus, nothing was as it seemed. The King was born in modest surroundings, to ordinary parents. No palace, no army, no riches or gold. Is it any wonder then that “give and take” with Jesus took on a different meaning?

The widow gave of her poverty, the rich young ruler left forlorn at the thought of giving away his riches. The “take” would have been far greater than what he was asked to give!

Saturday, March 19 is “The Great Give and Take.” We’ve never done anything like this before and it’s certainly okay to be skeptical.

“Just GIVE it away? Don’t charge anything?” That’s the plan. No value’s being given, no money changes hands.

“What if they load up with stuff and sell it?” Well … what if? They’re certainly more industrious than me!

I can’t speak for anyone but myself when I say I’ve surrounded myself with “stuff”. And if I’ve learned anything it’s that your possessions begin to possess you.

There are a lot of motivations to decide what to give away. To simplify your life. To clean out that closet. To get over a painful part of your life.

Start with that motivation, then go deeper. Go to Jesus with your motivation. Give of your poverty. Give of your riches. And while those in our community come to take, I promise you may go home empty-handed, but you won’t go home empty-hearted!