Have you ever given a gift in secret? When I was in middle school, I once proudly delivered a baby tortoise to my cousins door step anonymously. (My aunt has yet to forgive me for it) I can still remember the feeling of running down the street to not be seen and jumping back in the car anxiously awaiting his reaction. While a tortoise isn’t your everyday opportunity to give.. There is something so special even scared about giving to vulnerable (or not vulnerable) people around us in private. Whether it’s a stranger on the street, a neighbor or friend going through a hard time, the person in the coffee line in front of us, a coworker, privately gifting little things and big things brings such a thrill. There are numerous scientific studies that show when presented the option of spending money, spending it on others is more gratifying that spending money on ourselves. Jesus himself tells us, “it is greater to give than to receive.” Today, whether it is a compliment or an extravagant gift, take the challenge to give to somebody around you in private knowing that God sees you.
“Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:4