A Challenge to Find Little Ways to Give More

I was asked to share another message on the “WeBelieve” app today. For those who don’t have this yet, WeBelieve is the BEST app that shares a little three-minute devotional every day. It helps us to get us into the scriptures…even just for three minutes. Today I’m sharing a challenge for all of us to find little ways to give more.

But let’s back up. When I first got this assignment and saw the assigned scripture, I didn’t know what I would share.

Because it’s this one:

And for some reason that one sometimes feels a little ominous. I mean, “greater condemnation” doesn’t sound pretty, am I right? And what, exactly, are we supposed to give when we are given much?

Who are the ones who have been “given much” in the first place?

What exactly is the “much”?

Is it wealth? Is it talents?

Maybe it’s giving time?

Giving Resources

I personally have always translated this to mean give more from your means.

Donate more. Give of your resources.

And I think that is true for sure. When we give we remember that all we have is really God’s anyway. This is one reason I love tithing so very much.

Giving More of Ourselves

But as I thought this scripture through this time around I believe it’s so much more than that. It’s giving of our time. Our talents. Our love. I believe we are required to “give much” from our hearts.

In our own unique ways.

I LOVE to think about this because it’s so cool to think about the ripple effects of just one little kind and good thing that is given.

In the app today I’m tell the story of how a family in our neighborhood “gave much” by asking us over for Family Home Evening.

I talked about it in the linked post, and I felt like it was such a good example of giving of unique talents and time.

Of course, there are SO MANY other ways to give more when we have been given much.

Noticing Little Ways to Give More at our Family Reunion

I have been shown little ways to lift and give in spades this year as we just finished our family reunion.

My sister who was in charge of the reunion and all her kids put in so much work. They shared what they had, and we experienced it expand so beautifully, love rippling through each day.

Giving Out on the Boat

My brothers and Lucy’s cousins “gave much” trying to teach Lucy to waterski this year.

And I emphasize “much” because boy howdy, they were out there for hours. She never got up, but they were there to give and I am so grateful.

Giving Through Grammie Camp

I watched my mom give more as she tirelessly led all her “Grammie Camps” with all the different groups of cousins.

One of my favorite things was listening to all the little cousins try to memorize all her challenges for art and music masterpieces.

Giving through Nurturing

I loved to watch literally ALL the cousins “give more” as they nurtured and loved Murphy and Ada.

Giving with Nieces and Nephews

Oh gosh, this way to give more makes me so teary because for the second year in a row my brothers loaded up Lucy along with all their kids and headed out to Oregon.

That is a huge labor of love to camp with a girl who can’t see and so wants to be included.

Especially when you have your own small kids to take care of in the wilderness.

And those little examples of ways to give more of ourselves are just from our reunion the last few days. There are endless other ways to give and lift others around us. Ways that are uniquely our own.

What are they?

Other Ways to Give More

I loved tuning in to the homecoming of my sister-and-brother-in-law who just did SO much to give.

They were the ultimate example of “where much is given, much is required” as they served and gave of their time, hearts, means serving in Sierra Leone.

Sometimes to “give much” we just have to take action

I love how Abby and Murphy just took action when they realized Carson’s dad was sick. They just got to work and sent the sweetest care package.

My point is, sometimes we think we have to give in a specific way. Or that what we give has to be money or means. But there are countless ways to give more.

Anyway, back to We Believe

I LOVE to think about this other scripture I mentioned in D&C 50:24.

We are all given light of one sort or another.

And when we share it, we get MORE light.

It doesn’t diminish what we have. Isn’t that just the best news ever?

Listen in to think of Your Own Unique ways to Give More

You can take a listen to the devotional here.

Ending with the same challenge I left on the devotional…for us all to search our hearts and figure out our own unique little ways to give.

Sending lots of love.

Especially to my fellow mamas back in the desert who have kids starting school TODAY. I cannot believe I’m not there with you!

Happy “give more” Tuesday!