The Excellence of A Gift

Happy Friday Friends!

I hope & trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama! 

A couple of days ago I came across a quote that is, well, excellent! :)

"The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value." - Charles Dudley Warner

Last week I challenged all of us to give, just as real kings do, to others. We talked about giving gifts of time, talent and/or treasure. Inevitably, we try to judge the value of our gifts and the gifts of others. We say things like, "I don't have the money like the big donors" or "If I had what they had I would [fill in the blank]." Each statement is an attempt to judge the value, the worthiness, of the gift given. We are looking at the wrong things Friends. The value of a gift is not determined by an amount, a perceived value or the like. The true value of a gift is much different...

When thinking about philanthropy, there are two over-arching components that determine the value of a gift and 3 underpinnings that empower it to happen.

The first over-arching component is the passion within the donors heart. We all have a passion for something - animals, veterans, the environment, the economically disadvantaged, those with disabilities...the list is nearly as limitless as there are people walking the face of the earth. For a gift to be excellent, it must first address the passion in the heart of the giver. If there is inconsistency between the heart of the giver and the gift given, the gift - though perhaps beneficial to the one receiving it - will fail to achieve excellence.

The second over-arching component is meeting some need of the beneficiary of the gift. I can be pure-hearted, want to help, give a gift of extraordinary significance to me but if it isn't meeting some need of the beneficiary it will again fail to achieve excellence.

And then there is this incredibly beautiful situation where the passion of the giver matches the need of a person or organization and the gift given meets a need. If you have never seen or experienced it let me tell you, it is awe-inspiring! So many people believe that the giving of our time, talents or treasures means that something is lost. When a gift is given because the passion of the giver matches a need of the receiver it is actually the opposite. The giver experiences an incredible, indescribable joy that can only be found in meeting the need of another by giving a gift to something for which we have a deep passion. And the receiver? When the gift truly meets a need, it has the power to restore faith, hope, belief in themselves and others. It empowers goals and dreams to be achieved. It let's someone know that their life matters and that others believe in them. It is such a beautiful thing! :)

And then there are the 3 underpinnings:
1. The right gift. This really touches on the two over-arching components. The passion of the giver matching the need of the giver is the right gift. If either one is missing, it is not the right gift. And let me say this, I can have a passion for something and there can be a need in that area. However the need could be the need of finances and I offer the gift of encouragement. It is not the right gift. Perhaps some organization has limitless finances and they need the gift of talent - volunteers - and I offer them a financial gift. It is not the right gift. The excellent gift is the perfect match between the passion of the giver and the specific need of the receiver.

2. The right amount. This is really one sided - it is determined by the giver. The right amount? It is only the giver that can determine what is right for them. I can't tell you, and you can't tell me, how much time, talent or treasure is the right amount to give. I will tell you this, if you give something and there is not a peace in your spirit about it because you went to far, it was not the right amount. We see this played out in volunteers who are there every time, all the time and have relationships that are crumbling because of it. It is not the right amount. We see people who begrudgingly give a financial gift. It is not the right amount. Giving a gift should not cause an unsettled spirit within us. If our spirits are unsettled about giving, I would encourage us not to give the gift. Something is wrong. The passion isn't meeting a need, it's not the right gift, it's not the right amount or perhaps it's not the right time.

3. The right time. One of the best examples I can think of that illustrates this point is a scripture. Proverbs 27:14 says, "If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse." I may wish to bless my neighbor with the gift of encouragement however if I do this at the wrong time, it is not the right gift. Also, I could have a great passion for something, there is a great need in that area however because of the current circumstances of life, I can't make that financial gift, I can't give of my time. It doesn't mean it is not the right person or organization, it doesn't mean it is not the right gift and it doesn't even mean that the amount I have in mind is not right. It simply means that it is not the right time. The gift should not be given unless the time is right.

In wrapping this up this morning I want to share a couple of quotes I came across this morning that are pretty stinkin' awesome! I thought y'all might enjoy them.

"Every time we dedicate our time and other resources to others, to the people around us, we serve God." - Sunday Adelaja

"When we show love to others, God's presence is with us." - Linda Evans Shepherd

Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish your precious families.

Kev