Give It Away

 

By Andrea Merrell

 

“Are you a giver?” the article asked. “Do you see yourself as a pond (which can become stagnant) or a river that blessings can flow through?”

I’m sure at this point you’re thinking, What does that have to do with writing?

Consider this: Jesus said, “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (Luke 6:38 NLT).

According to The Word for You Today: “When you give your time, expertise, and resources without expecting anything in return, you’re practicing what Jesus preached. And when you focus more on the wants and needs of others, more of your own wants and needs are met.”

Giving away what God has blessed us with is like sowing seeds. Those seeds can produce a great harvest when we need it most. We all need help from time to time, especially along this writing journey. Remember all those who came alongside you, especially when you were just beginning? Maybe it’s time to pay it forward.

Think about it for a moment. As a writer, what gifts has God blessed you with that you could share with others? Maybe you have a good eye for detail and are proficient with editing and proofreading. Maybe you’re a visionary who loves to brainstorm with others. Perhaps social media is your sweet spot or you’re a whiz at marketing. If you’re an avid reader, you might enjoy signing up to be a beta reader or volunteering to be part of a launch team. Maybe you’re creative in formatting or graphic design. Perhaps God has blessed you financially so you can help someone else attend a writing conference. The possibilities are endless.

If these are areas where you make a living, I’m not telling you to work for free. But don’t dismiss doing a little pro bono work occasionally. Think of it as tithing your time and talents.

Whatever it is that comes naturally to you, give it away. Be generous. Share it with others. Don’t be afraid to gift someone your time and expertise. Robert Louis Stevenson said, “I consider the success of my day based on the seeds I sow, not the harvest I reap.” And the good news is even though we consider the seeds more important than the harvest, it’s a proven fact that we can’t out-give God. Plant those seeds and leave the harvest up to Him.

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.