Giving by NOT taking advantage of discounts

Now that I am on this journey of recording some of our giving experiences, I seem to be more aware in situations where opportunities to "give" present themselves.

Recently, I was surprised when I sensed the Holy Spirit teaching me a new way to give: by not taking advantage of discounts.

I had pulled over quickly to fill our van up with gas.

The usual routine is not complicated or requiring much thought.... I've probably filled up my car at least 1000 times (literally if you calculate once a week for 20 years... and I've been driving 24 years).

1000 times.

That is like filling up a tank of gas once a day for 2 years and 9 months.

• Get out of the car.
• Insert debit card into the pump slot.
• Press debit.
• Enter pin number.... look for which button on this pump to push next.
• No, I don't want a car wash.
• No, I don't want a receipt (well, Yes... if I'm at a certain gas station that only works if I push Yes).
• Unhook pump.
• Oops, I forgot to unscrew the gas tank cap... again.
• Hold pump in one hand while awkwardly unscrewing the gas cap.
• Insert pump.
• Choose Unleaded Regular Fuel after glancing at the price. (It is the lowest price anyway, so I'm just curious.)
• Playing a mental math game while I try to calculate how much it will cost based on how empty the gas indicator was.
• Realizing the fumes are strong and remembering the book I read about what that can do to us... so walking around the car to wait or sitting inside the driver's seat while I wait.

• <Click>
• The gas tank is full.
• Unhook and replace pump hose.  Screw back on cap. Drive away.

Giving by Spending More Gas Money at the Pump

Never before had I ever considered what ran through my mind that particular sunny day.

I find it amazing how our circumstances all merge together at moments where if we stay in tune to our thoughts can give us revelations, insights, ideas, and breakthroughs.  

Recently, I became aware of our country's "oil crisis". Gas prices have been low for quite some time, and I had not given it much thought about the bigger picture of this.  I, like I imagine most Americans, enjoyed seeing the prices plunge. This meant more money in my pocket.  It's good for me. No further thought.

Then, a woman I know had asked for prayer for her husband. The oil prices had dropped so low that many people in that industry were losing their jobs; he could be next. She explained how their stock had dropped hundreds of thousands of dollars already (their life savings) and they were concerned he could lose his job as well.  They are in their fifties, so I understood somewhat that this could feel extremely vulnerable in their life season.  

I also started to hear reports, from other media and sources, of job loss consequences due to the oil prices being so low.

So, on that day when I had just stopped to fill up the tank, as I had done plenty of times before, my spirit was already primed with knowledge of the oil crisis and knowledge of our mission to give as we have opportunity and are able.

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, 

especially to those who are of the household of faith." 

Galatians 6:10 NKJV

As I went to choose the Unleaded Regular Gasoline, I saw the price around $1.40/gallon (it may have been as high as $1.60). Then I saw the Premium Gasoline price around $1.85 ish (definitely below $2.00/gallon).  It was in that moment that I receive instantaneous perspective of how selfish I was being to continue to purchase the lowest gasoline just because I could.  I recalled that it had not been too long ago that we were consistently buying gas for anywhere between $3.00-$4.00/gallon (for years).  We had agreed to that then, so why would I be upset over paying less than $2.00/gallon for the Premium gasoline.

It only took a few seconds, at most, to have this understanding and only a moment to make a choice.  That's where I believe exponential things can happen (us making our ripple effects on the world - including our own lives); when we have the knowledge and we make a choice.

I proudly pushed the PREMIUM button and filled up the tank with the best gas.  

I did it to honor the men and women who are working in the oil industry so that I can go to and fro in my car without a hitch. 

I did it to prove to my flesh that I wasn't scared to spend a few extra dollars that day....God is my Source of supply, it's His money, and He will provide more as needed.  

I did it to teach myself that sometimes giving doesn't have to be in mass amounts of money... it can be small sacrifices with large hearts and intentions towards someone else's success over my own.  I think I spent less than an extra $7.00 total.

Then, after it was all done, I realized that even though I thought I was the one making a small sacrifice, I had received a blessing in return.  My van was given the best gasoline... which from what little I know about automobiles, helps the parts work better!  So, I could also consider it a small auto service expense to give my van a little bit better fuel... like a healthy smoothie in the midst of all our fast food meals. :) It is all perspective.

As I drove away, it's hard to describe the joy I had on the inside. The kind of joy where you know your life matters and makes a difference... no matter how small the impact may seem. 

I started envisioning starting a campaign on Facebook to encourage everyone to just buy the higher priced gasoline for a few weeks in effort to help buffer some of these devastating losses people are going through.  I did not do that... another of many ideas that gets dreamed up but not executed.  It's taken me weeks to simply sit down to share this story with you.  

However, to get excited about the potential of how our actions can make powerful differences, look at this example.

If 3 million people (only 1% of Americans) paid an extra $5.00 per tank of gas (only about 30 cents extra per gallon), that would be $15,000,000 per week in revenue!  I have no idea how that would trickle down to the employees, but assuming the companies are honest and fair, and assuming each employee being let go earns approximately $50,000/year (pulling that number out of thin air), that's like us collectively saving 300 jobs!  That is only in 1 week! 

That's 300 families who most likely are not prepared for sudden job losses considering reports continue to tell us most Americans are in debt and not saving significant emergency funds.

That's 3 million people doing something super quick and small that could save 300 families from a huge and long term crisis.

And, that's 3 million cars that just might give a little bit extra service back to those generous and thoughtful people.

With the power in numbers, it is amazing what can be accomplished.

So, the next time you are offered a discount, I encourage you to be aware that you don't have to accept it. Or at least be aware of how your accepting it impacts the greater industry.

The amazing thing I have learned, over the last few years as I have been renewing my mind (and actions) from a poverty and lack mentality to a child of a King mentality, is that whenever I give up something (stuff or money) for the sake of the Kingdom, my faith in God as my Father who provides gets stronger.  However, while I am debating about whether or not to give the "thing" away, I feel I am not as confident. But, once it's done, it's amazing the victory, joy, and inner peace and confidence that comes as a result.... and yes, He always repays me for my kindness on behalf of Him and His name (and I mean in the physical sense as well as spiritual).  We don't lack any good thing.

"...those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing."

Psalm 34:10 NKJV

When I cut my coupons, am I being a good steward of my money?

OR

When I choose not to use the coupons, am I being a good steward of my money?

I submit that the answer can be "Yes" to both. What's in your heart? Where is your intention, faith, and trust as you spend "your" money?

"The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;"

Psalm 24:1 NIV

Ever since that day, I have continued to buy the Premium Gasoline, and I plan to continue to do so unless and until the Lord gives me peace to do otherwise. 

I hope you are inspired to do the same.

"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; 

all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 

Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being." 

1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NKJV

Blessed to be a blessing,

R :)

Screenshot Taken From News Website 2016

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Disclaimer: the extra gasoline expense is coming out of our personal budget; not our SOCKS Ministry budget (for those who may have wondered or who took the time to read this fine print).

Giving When They Ask For More

I just wanted to pick up our daughter, from her activity, run to the grocery store, and be home before it was dinner time. That was all that was in my mind; I had forgotten to leave the house armed and prepared for another opportunity to be used in the Kingdom. It wasn't even on my mind, but the Kingdom is all around us, and God will bring it right in front of you, even when you are not looking.  

I had just found a parking spot in the center of the parking lot.  It was two days before Thanksgiving and crowded, and I did not want to waste time by driving around looking for a better location; this was good enough.  

I had my list ready, and I gave the kids my typical grocery store speech, "Okay guys. I have a list. We are only getting what is on the list. I want to be in and out of the store in less than an hour. Are you ready?"

I looked down to grab my purse and find my list.  My daughter said, "Mom" in a sweet attention getting way.  I looked up and saw an immigrant woman and her young daughter looking right at us; holding a white sign explaining their need for help!  We were not even parked near the front of the store, or on the edges, where I would think it to be more likely for "beggars" to be wondering around. We were in a center spot in a center aisle!  What would prompt her to choose us at this very moment that I pulled up?

"Oh good Lord!" I exclaimed with a tone of exasperation, and then I became instantly aware of my blasphemy and so I continued to say, "who takes care of all our needs!" I was hoping my children did not catch my hint of being inconvenienced (though I am admitting that this was my honest first reaction). My oldest daughter told me later she wasn't sure if I was being serious or sarcastic.

Giving to someone who was asking for help was not on my radar. This was not on my schedule or on my list. But, here we were... we were chosen in this moment to notice and to help. Fortunately, because giving has been on our overall radar since 2007, and because we have intentionally made a plan for it, we were prepared for the occasion though "inconvenient".  

If your giving is always convenient, than maybe it is not truly giving the giving truly needed.

I told the kids to stay in the car, and I stepped out to greet her and find out her need.  She was just feet away from my door.

I was able to find out that she was from Bulgaria and they did have a house and car. She said they needed help with groceries. She spoke very little English. She spoke a little Spanish (which I thought was odd and suspicious). Her daughter remained quiet.  She had mentioned needing groceries for the family, and so I offered for her to shop while I shopped, and we could pay for her groceries at the checkout line.

Then, she told me her sister would be back to get her, and she was able to communicate that a gift card would be better so she could get the groceries later.  So, I offered to get her a Wal-mart gift card. This seemed reasonable so her and this little girl were not standing there for hours with bags of groceries waiting for their ride.  

However, she then asked for a Visa gift card so she could use it at "more stores" like Target and the Pharmacy for medicines. I'll admit, I was getting a little irritated that my offer for the Wal-mart gift card was not being received as "enough" with complete gratitude.  

I threw my wild card question out at her, "How much do you need?"

She looked caught off guard.  She replied in broken English, "However much you give."

I asked again, "How much do you need?"  I was going to make her be brave enough to ask for what she needed. Following Luke 6:30, I would give to her whatever she asks, but she has to ask. I was trusting God to supply.

She finally picked something, "Fifty."

"Fifty-dollars?"  I double checked.  Honestly relieved it was only fifty dollars.  This was a bite-sized amount I thought we could do.  We had about three-hundred in our Benevolence account available, but I had other "ministry" projects I had already planned to use those funds for.

She answered, "Yes".  She was very grateful.

I motioned for my children to get out of the car, and we all started to walk into Wal-mart.  I asked how long they had been trying to get help.  She said, "Three hours."  I tried to discern if anyone else had offered to help. Was she "racking up?"on her scheme (which would justify my suspicious anger), or were we the only "saints" that had cared enough to pay attention, listen, and take action to help (which would justify why we should be benevolent)?  It shouldn't have mattered, but I was curious. 

My mind was at war: throwing up all sorts of defenses and excuses to not help this woman while at the same time justifying why we should.  I started to be very suspicious about the story, her intentions, and of course how dare she use this poor "daughter" as part of her prop to get more sympathy. I tried to talk with the daughter to see how old she was, but she did not respond. I assumed she did not speak English. The mom told me she was seven.

No matter what suspicions I was having, I knew I was going to go inside and choose to give her what she was asking for as an act of service, instead of what I wanted to give to her:  a $50 Visa Gift Card! 

A true act of giving is to give what is requested, not what you are offering.

We were on our way to do this, and then we would be back on track to get my list done and get home.

I did not like the questions I had about where she came from: was she really from Bulgaria?  Why did she speak some Spanish too? I did not like the suspicions about the little girl with her.  I especially did not like her "picky-ness" in asking for the Visa Gift Card instead of the Wal-mart gift card. My conditioned suspicions about how she may "spend the money" were flashing up everywhere. 

But, I do not want to live by those principles of doubt and fear. I practice overcoming those by living in a spirit of love and peace and kindness without judgement.  This is not easy, but it is doable because I have Jesus Christ, His mind, His heart, and His spirit, living inside me. And I was choosing to do it no matter what my thoughts, fears, and doubts were.  After all, this is why we started a "giving ministry". To give.

To give when it's inconvenient.

To give when it's uncomfortable.

To give to those who may seem unworthy (though they are not).

To give without judgement about the recipient or how they will use the gift.

To give without strings attached.

To give because we have been given so much.

But, I was about to be challenged on a new level. My Kingdom training was kicking it up a notch.

* * * * * * *

As we walked into the store, I took the opportunity to justify the "why" we were doing this.

"Do you know Jesus Christ?"  I asked her.

She put her hand to her heart and smiled.  "Yes, Jesus Christ" she replied.

That satisfied me to know that she knew our gift was because of our devotion to the Lord Jesus, and I felt burden-free trusting that somehow if she was pulling a fast one on us (AKA taking advantage), He would know about it and He will deal with it. My part was simply obedience when called upon. Not judgement. Not questioning.  It was clear, we had been "called upon".

When we got to the kiosk of gift cards, I started to scan the Visa Debit Cards.  It may seem like a small thing, but to me, I really did not want to "waste" the extra money purchasing a Visa Debit Card.  Last time I had checked, a few years ago, there was an additional charge of around $2-$3 per card just to activate it, and then there were various fees associated with the card thereafter.  I personally call these charges "Cash in the trash" and did not like the idea of any of our "donation" being cash in the trash.  However, I also was aware of the importance of giving to this woman on the terms that she felt comfortable with, not just what I wanted to do. After all, it was supposed to be meeting her needs.

I was able to quickly assess two things: Most of the cards announced that there were no additional charges once you purchase the card, and that the fee to purchase the card had increased to about $5.44.  That's a 5% charge for every $100.00!   

Press on. Just buy the card and move on.  Don't over analyze it.

My stomach started to hurt. I was clearly at war within my opinions, intentions, and the reality of the situation.

So, I fought back my flesh.  I decided to double her request. 

Like Matthew 5:41 tells us to "Go the extra mile."  

I went to the bottom of the kiosk and picked up a nice card that could be charged up to $100.00.  

I thought she would be overcome with thankfulness, but when I showed it to her, she immediately started to point to a different card that could be loaded with up to $500.00. She started to ask for more "if possible" to help with "pharmacy" for her daughter and then "pharmacy" for her. As she requested this, she lifted up the front of her shirt to show us her stomach which looked abnormal (for lack of a nice way to describe it). It was my assumption that she must have had some surgery and was needing medication for something.  The communication barrier was not helping. She asked for $200.00!

At this point, I could hear my husband's voice in my head saying, "Walk away. Teach her not to be ungrateful."  My stomach was burning. I felt stuck in time and not sure what move to make next.  My commitment to "Give to the one who asks of you" was requiring that I give four-times the original amount requested. I was perplexed as to whether my giving was enabling her to "take advantage" or truly helping her.

I put back the card I had chosen and picked up the card she had suggested.  I still was not sure I was going to put the $200.00 on the card, but we all got into the checkout line. 

 

As we were standing there, I was talking to my daughters quietly through gritted teeth.

"What do you guys think we should do?" I said carefully and subtly so the woman would not hear me.

Our girls have been trained in giving since they were very young, so I find that they do not have the pre-built judgments that my husband and I struggle with.

Both of our daughters said to give the $200.00.  My stomach was still burning. I still felt overwhelmed by the possibility that I had taken a wrong turn somehow in our giving and that this was wreckless giving... not what Christians would label as "good stewardship".

The check out line was taking longer than I had hoped, and so I asked my girls if they would go ahead and take our cart and the list and get the refrigerated items I had written down.  I would meet up with them as soon as I was done.  They left and my son and I finished checking out.

It seemed like every step of the process, I had to keep "making myself" do the "right thing".  It was simply a choice to make and then it would be done. One step at a time.

I handed the cashier the gift card.

"How much would you like to put on the card?" she asked.

"Two-hundred dollars." I answered... making myself do it.

The cashier struggled with entering the card number and I waited.

Finally, I swiped our Benevolence debit card. Almost done.  

Then this popped up on the screen:

"Would you like cash back?"

Immediately, my first thought was, "No! I am NOT getting more cash out. She has already asked for way more than I offered."  And then, I did the only thing I knew to do to crucify that selfish, ungiving, and uncheerful spirit, I chose $20.00 cash back.  And, I have to say, when I did that, it was like kicking the devil in the teeth, and I knew I had won.  I knew I had gone way farther than I had been asked to go.  Even though I wish I had done it cheerfully every step of the way, I knew I had reached the peak of the victory which was that I was going to give even more than what my flesh already did not like.

Jesus said that his life was not taken from Him, He willingly gave it (John 10:18) We know the story, even He was not too excited about the prospect of the method in which God chose to use His life to free us all. But, He did it anyway. He crucified the flesh. Many say that He was crucified by those soldiers, but it was Jesus Himself who gave Himself up. They did not take His life. He gave it.  From this place of surrender, He was actually the one in control and empowered more than ever. It gave His sacrifice life and fruit that would not have been there otherwise.  

And so, I gave her the $200.00 Visa Debit card AND the $20.00 cash. She was joyful as she hugged me and said, "Thank you."  

Her little girl said, "Thank You."  She did speak English! 

No assumptions.  

No judgments.

Flesh, let it go!

To God alone be the honor and the glory.  If not for her, I did it for Him.

* * * * * * *

Even as we were walking around the grocery store, I noticed I still had a knot-like burning feeling in my stomach every time I recalled what had just happened.  I continued to question if I had done the right thing.

I mentioned this question to my girls, and here is what they said.,

Daughter Age 11: "Mom, what if God was testing you?"

Daughter Age 13: "You asked her if she knew Jesus. You told her you did. What would she think about Jesus if you had said that and then did not give what she had asked for?  You are Jesus' representative."

Wow!  

Could God have been "testing me"?  If so, I am SOOOO glad I gave extra!

And, "Jesus' representatives"?  Absolutely! The Word says we are His ambassadors!  I had forgotten my role in the moments of questioning. I am proud to represent Christ.

How could I feel bad after those perspectives.... from the audience of my children?

And then, as we left the store, I got into our Dodge Grand Caravan... the same one that our family was GIVEN just two years ago as a gift!  

How quickly my mind was humbled to recognize I hadn't given hardly anything.... $220.00 compared to the $12,000 van I was driving home in; driving home to the debt-free house that the Lord gave us, through a myriad of circumstances that worked in our favor, just over a year ago.

How quickly we can lose perspective and forget all that we have been given.  

Even I do this. Someone who is completely devoted to taking God at His literal Word and loving people who most people pass by or ignore.  

This encounter revealed that even I can still struggle in the moments when I battle what I've been taught with what I now know to be truth, and I can still lose perspective.  But the struggles we have are not the important element; it is what we choose to do in that struggle that determines the outcome... for us all.    

* * * * * * * 

The war is real.  The battle between selfishness and selflessness.  The battle to be in control and to give up all control to whatever the Lord can do in and through you at any given moment.  The battle between judging others and simply just loving others.  But, if you fight it - with the spiritual weapons* we have been given... you too will win and so will those around you.  

*The spiritual weapons, I reference, are acting according to the Word of God as the Holy Spirit brings it to mind in whatever situation you face.