Hey NS. Time for another NSG post. This time it is pretty good, and hopefully thought-provoking. I won't go on a long time, so definitely read it. Recently I have been challenged a lot on my concept of giving. What does it mean to really give and where is the line? Should I sell all my stuff and give the money to the poor, should I live as a missionary my whole life (which I have to some extent for a couple of years)? The black and white answer to those questions is yes. Of course, without question, the money I spend to ski or eat out would be far better put to use by someone who has needs rather than wants. But what if I am too selfish to take it that far (yeah, that is human 101 - pride and selfishness).
But one thing I have realized is that giving is giving is most valuable when it costs something. A lot of you on here frown upon Jesus and Christianity. That is your choice. But, bear with me for the example. During Jesus time being a religious success meant doing all the things you were supposed to, but with even more human zeal than others. So, when the religious guys of the day were putting in more than they "needed" to in the offering, they thought they were awesome. But, then this lady put in the equivalent of $.50 and Jesus declared it more valuable than all the money of the religious leaders. Why? It cost her. She needed that money.
So back to me. I love to ski. I don't spend money on anything else. I work really hard, have a wife and a new baby girl. I don't go on vacations or out to eat and I can't remember the last clothing item I bought that cost more than $20, and the thrift gets most of my money. But skiing, skiing I spend a bit. yes, I always shop to find good deals and never buy anyhting retail. But, even a great set of last year's sticks with solid bindings is $400-$500.
So this year an awesome guy hooked me up with some limited edition Prophet 100s, one of my all-time favorite skis. I couldn't have been more stoked. I couldn't wait to mount those puppies and use them on my limited ski days this year. It was only a few days after receiving the skis that someone I know had a small work disaster happen to him and had $2000 stolen, and he was already in a tough spot. Again here if you aren't Christian bear with me. When I heard this I knew in my spirit that I wanted to help him with some money. Well, I don't have any. My little girl was in the hospital for two weeks and the budget is already tight. I have nothing to give him. I felt like God was saying to me "which do you love more: the skis or your friend?" Of course the answer is my friend, but do my actions back what I feel? So I thought to myself, I could ski on these sick sticks this season, or I could sell them and buy a cheap set up and give him a couple hundred bucks. Well, the skis are gone, to some lucky guy on Ebay.
So obviously I am no hero. I could not ski at all this year and give him every penny of it. But, it was a baby step in the right direction, and my heart feels so good that I won't notice having an average pair of skis from a couple of years ago.
The purpose of telling the story was not to make anyone feel bad or make myself look good. The goal is to maybe put a little thought in your head: what do you want your skiing legacy to be? I am not saying you have to sell your stuff. But, do you want to look back in 10 years and know you had the sickest stuff, or could you look back and see someone you helped, no matter how small? Maybe that overlap in your pow quiver could help someone in need. I dunno. I feel like with all the crappy stories out there that a good one thrown in for good measure tips the scales back in the right direction.
