What Can We Give?
In Luke 15:11-32, we read the story of a son who asked his father for his inheritance. The father gave it to him, and the son wasted his inheritance in riotous living. We most often hear about this passage as it relates to the problems of the prodigal son. Of course, the primary lesson taught from this Scripture is that the Father eagerly awaits the return of every prodigal child.
There is another question of stewardship in this parable. It concerns the father. Would the parable read differently had the father realized the possibility that giving something highly valuable that has not been earned would likely affect his son's value systems and lifestyle?
In Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Thesis on Compensation,” he emphasizes the fact that everything carries with it a compensating balance—for hot there is cold, for darkness there is light, for up, down. Emerson warned that receiving something we have not earned carries with it a compensating balance. Often the cost of the compensation is severe.
In Galatians 6:7-9 we read that a person will harvest what they plant. In Genesis 3:19 God said, “by the sweat of your face you will eat bread.” There is personal satisfaction in learning the value of what we earn and self-worth from the result of a job well done.
What, then, can we give to an individual that will be a blessing?
- A strong spiritual heritage based on Scripture that is confirmed by a Christian lifestyle
- A wide circle of friendships and experiences
- An honorable and just name
- A good education
- Opportunity for success
As a steward, we must decide whether or not we can give anything more (wealth) without burdens or responsibilities that stifle initiative. Care must be taken with those who benefit through our gifts so that they may understand the responsibilities that come with them.
This is the reason it is important to find God's plan of stewardship for the distribution of our estates. Only God truly knows the impact money will have on our beneficiaries.
