March 20, 2005

 

 

 

 

!!!!
Each week you will be able to read a devotional
thought which we hope you will find
enjoyable and comforting
as well as
insightful and challenging.

 

Giving With Love

 

The following story is told in "The Best of Bits and Pieces":

Robert De Vincenzo, the great Argentine golfer, once won a tournament and, after receiving the check and smiling for the cameras, he went to the clubhouse and prepared to leave.  Some time later, he walked alone to his car in the parking lot and was approached by a young woman. She congratulated him on his victory and then told him that her child was seriously ill and near death. She did not know how she could pay the doctor's bills and hospital expenses.

De Vincenzo was touched by her story, and he took out a pen and endorsed his winning check for payment to the woman. "Make some good days for the baby," he said as he pressed the check into her hand.

The next week he was having lunch in a country club when a Professional Golf Association official came to his table. "Some of the boys in the parking lot last week told me you met a young woman there after you won that tournament." De Vincenzo nodded.

"Well," said the official, "I have news for you. She's a phony.  She has no sick baby. She's not even married. She fleeced you, my friend."

"You mean there is no baby who is dying?" said De Vincenzo.

"That's right," said the official.

"That's the best news I've heard all week," De Vincenzo said.

Wow! What a beautiful spirit! I wish I could say that I would have reacted the same way, but I know that I would not have. I would have struggled with feelings of resentment. I would have said, "See if I try to help anyone else again!"

De Vincenzo's attitude is reminiscent of the spirit that God has shown toward us. Despite mankind taking God's goodness for granted, despite our repeated failures, God was willing to give not just a token amount, but the ultimate sacrifice of His Son. He did so, not reluctantly or with resentment, but willingly and gladly, knowing that while most would only show disdain for his gift, some would respond in obedience motivated by faith and love.

"For when we were still without strength,
in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die;
yet perhaps for a good man someone would
even dare to die. But God demonstrates His
own love toward us, in that while we were
still sinners, Christ died for us."

(Romans 5:6-8)

May the realization of what God has given
motivate you to respond to him, and to reach
out to others, with the same kind of love.

and a

In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

 

 

 

This weeks thought and comments comes from Thought-for-the-day

a daily devotional which you can
receive daily online by subscribing at:

join-thought-for-the-day@xc.org

It is created by Alan Smith,
Boone Church of Christ,
Boone, NC

 

 

 

 

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