The Most Important Thing In The World

Something really silly happened this morning and I can’t get it out of my head.

 

First, some background. I bought a Pioneer stereo receiver from the Incredible Universe ‘Scratch and Dent’ department about fourteen years ago. It has worked adequately through the years, but lately has been not working properly; to the point that Carla and I actually decided to spend our hard-earned Discover cashback on a new sound system. I did my usual shopping thing: research, compare, go to the store to touch it, research, compare, try to work a deal, and then, finally, go with the best price. We got a pretty good deal from Circuit City on a reasonably priced surround sound system. I ordered it and am expecting it to show up any time now.*

More background; Carla and the girls have been going through their clothes and other stuff to find things to give away. Anyway, this morning I put out about four bags of stuff to give to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society(LLS). (Yea me!) All the while, I’m thinking, “I wonder if FedEx is going to deliver my sound system today before I leave town.” I even went to Albertson’s this morn to pick up some biscuits and saw a FedEx truck. I thought “Could it be on that truck? I hope I can get to the house before he does.”

Back home; I got the lawnmower out of the garage and out of the corner of my eye I saw a truck pull up. I noticed that it wasn’t a FedEx truck but some kind of rental. I remember thinking, “Wow, FedEx must be busy today if they need to use rentals.” The driver got out and started to walk up the driveway to me. He wasn’t even wearing his FedEx uniform… He turned towards the bags on the front porch and I finally figured out that he was the guy from LLS (I know, you saw that coming a mile away…alas, I didn’t). He gave me my tax deduction form and I helped him load the four puny little bags into his truck.

 

Then, the silly thing happened.

 

As he drove away, I was disappointed that FedEx had not yet delivered my new toy, all that had happened was I gave away some unneeded stuff to LLS.

 

I started up my mower and got to work. I don’t know what you do when you mow or do other mindless work, but I love to talk with God. For some reason, this is a time when God has taught me some very deep, valuable lessons.

 

So, I’m mowing, and I’ve got this little splinter of disappointment digging into my mind. I was really bothered by the fact that I disappointed. I’m so rich that I can give away four bags of stuff, pay a very high car repair bill, and buy a surround-sound system, all in one week. What in the world do I have to be upset/disappointed about? AND I had just done something that God says to do, right? I gave away stuff I didn’t need.

While we were in China, one of the questions we were asked was “What is the most important thing in life to you?” We all dutifully answered some variation of “Jesus, my spouse, and my family.” Turns out that our teacher friends had asked their students the same question the week before. Almost every student had said that having enough money was the most important thing in the world to them. I remember thinking “It’s so sad that the rest of the world seems to have borrowed all the worst things from the US: greed and materialism.”

 

Apparently, I have learned this lesson also. I would much rather receive than give.

 

Acts 20:35 – In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we
must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said:
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “

*Actually, I’m expecting it to show up today after I leave or Monday, when I’m not here. This is what usually happens…