Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Marrying a Giver


In the very core of who Indira is you will find a greedy and self-centered woman. Someone who likes to give on her terms but would much rather be on the receiving end. But just what happens when a frugal person meets and marries a generous man?

My husband has no attachment to money whatsoever. It makes him happy to be able to give it away. His money, his time, his clothes. You name it. It's yours. I cannot recall the last time he told me not to spend money on myself (of course, I'm very frugal even with myself) or on others. However, when it's his turn to spend and I'm the one that has to extend a bit of grace, I am more like the spending police, keeping track of every last penny that was spent. I want to pull the brakes immediately. I am the one placing the limitations on how we spend our money and how much we can give away.

It's funny though because from the very beginning of our marriage I have seen my husband give to others. I remember pulling up to a gas station and someone just so happened to ask Lucas for money. I was inside the car but the next thing I knew, he was walking into the gasoline station to buy him something to eat. I also remember the day we were driving back home after lunch at The Cheesecake Factory and him giving away our leftovers. The only thing I kept thinking was, "Please don't give away our tiramisu cheesecake." He didn't. ;) And yet another time, I distinctly remember him giving a young married couple at church free reign to our credit card so that we could help them fill up their fridge and stock up their pantry.

It has never really stopped. Just recently it happened yet again. My husband decided to give. I didn't necessarily agree or disagree. However, I admit that I wasn't thrilled about the idea but I went with it. I allowed him to do what God had called him to do. On the following day, we received news that we would be saving some money. God touched someone else's heart to bless us.

I believe that the reason why we've been so blessed is because the man I married has never allowed me to focus on myself. He has taught me how to give with a cheerful heart. We have been blessed to bless others. I have seen God's promises come alive in our life, "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed" (Proverbs 11:25).

Today as I am tempted to be cheap with others, God reminds me, "Share your cup of water and I will fill it up." I'm thankful that God has used my husband to teach me a thing or two about giving and I'm assured that we will never out give God.


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