Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

(Hebrews 13:16 NIV)

Two friends walked into a small diner, grabbed a booth, and ordered a couple of drinks. As soon as the waitress walked away, they each reached into their backpacks and pulled out homemade sandwiches, unwrapping them right on the table.

The owner spotted them and hurried over, pointing at the sandwiches.  “You can’t eat your own sandwiches in here!” he said firmly.

The two friends looked at each other, shrugged… and then handed their sandwiches to each other.

It’s a humorous story, but it reminds us of something God that calls us to practice intentionally: choosing to share.

The Hebrew writer tells us, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:16 NIV). Sharing, from a biblical standpoint, is more than simply handing someone an item.  It’s an attitude. It’s the willingness to see the needs of others and to respond with kindness rather than convenience.

In everyday life, sharing doesn’t always come naturally.  Our schedules are full.  Our energy is limited.  Our minds are often preoccupied with our own challenges.  But Scripture gently pushes us: “Do not neglect…to share.”  We’re told that it pleases God when we do.

Jesus himself embodied this. He shared his time with the lonely, his compassion with the broken, his attention with the unnoticed, and, ultimately, he shared his life on the cross.  When we share our time, our encouragement, and our resources, we reflect the very heart of Christ.

You may not be swapping sandwiches in a diner today, but you might be able to share a listening ear with someone who feels unseen. You might share a meal with someone who’s lonely. You might share a word of kindness with someone who desperately needs hope.  And whenever you share, Scripture says that it’s a “sacrifice”, an offering that pleases God. 

So, ask God today to make you aware of opportunities to share.  It may seem like a small thing, but it’s one way that God invites us to participate in his ongoing work of blessing others.

Prayer: Father, thank you for your generosity toward me. Help me to not neglect doing good or sharing with others. Open my eyes to the needs of the people around me, and give me a willing heart to respond with kindness, compassion, and love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day