Feb
04
2008
Having Nothing, but Giving Everything
Romania’s poverty drove people to do foolish things. No one could deny the remaining influence of Communism on the struggling nation. The squalor found in many villages brought me face to face with poverty-stricken conditions that were enough to make even the most courageous missionary squeamish.
Communism ransacked Romania’s beauty and robbed her people’s ambition. The effects of totalitarian regime still linger, be it in the forlorn adornment of the houses or in the hardened, tired expressions of the villagers. Apart from my learning the language, coming to grips with poverty in all its forms became my biggest hurdle as I adjusted to my new life in Romania.
Still, even in the poverty, despite the widespread corruption and underprivileged conditions, I saw rays of hope. The Romanian spirit of hospitality beamed up from under the rubble left over from Communism. Needy Christians still smiled, revealing a deep expression of joy despite their few worldly possessions. I met people who had practically nothing and were willing to give everything as well as people who had practically everything and were willing to give nothing.
One Romanian quality that I deeply admire comes to the surface among people who are willing to give you the very shirt off their back if you are in need. Even if you are not needy, they are willing to give you the best they have to offer.
The gifts I brought to Romania to distribute were usually second-hand items which had no personal significance for me. That is why I was often blessed beyond belief by Romanians offering me some of their most precious and personally significant items.
We sometimes approach God the same way. We donate tokens to God’s work, hoping to appease our conscience by giving something away, even if that something has no particular significance for us. But then our God of abundant generosity puts us to shame, giving us His very best – His only Son.