“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”

1 Timothy 6:18

Two weeks ago, my father brought me a gift from a tea farm on Jeju Island off the coast of South Korea. The box, neatly printed in Korean characters, nested eight smaller, brightly colored boxes. Each box contains three tea bags with exotic tea names like volcanic oolong, canola flower, bouquet, and orchid green. The names, printed in both Korean characters and English letters, intrigued my senses and I longed to savor the novelty of such an exquisite gift.

When I watched the delight on my own families’ faces at the colorful and intriguing boxes of tea, I vowed to try an experiment. What if we indulged in the tea ourselves? Or what if I shared it with friends right away? I knew this meant the tea wouldn’t last as long as I felt it deserved, but at least it would be enjoyed. Right away, I decided this would be a gift shared among us, unguarded and served with generosity.

I prepared a cup of tea for myself that day, and my teenager did the same. We enjoyed every last drop, tasting flavors never before tickling our taste buds. We chatted about the notes of flavor and raved about the uniqueness rising in the steam of our cups. Then, I invited a friend and her daughters over to indulge, getting out the Chinaware and playing up an afternoon tea with white-chocolate raspberry scones. Their faces lit up at the display and they took time to choose their cup of tea, smelling each flavor and discussing their favorites. I invited another friend for a deep discussion, adding tea as an element of value in the community we shared. My own kids ask to make sure to save a certain kind so they can at least try it, and I’m telling them to have at it! I am cheering them on to consume the gift and find great pleasure in it! My exuberant cheering has my husband honoring the gift’s presence on the countertop instead of wishing it away.

Sometimes I do the same with the precious gifts God graciously gives me. I can tend to hide His gifts away, waiting for the perfect moment of use. Or I hold onto it so long, I forget about it. I can appreciate what He gives me, but stand in awe of His generosity for fear of how I may mishandle it.

It’s when I accept the gift with great gratitude and share it with others that I gain the most from both the gift and God’s generosity to me. Others are blessed by it too and it soon becomes a gift that keeps on giving. Sometimes this is an actual “thing” that I feel God’s given me and sometimes it is a talent or skill. Unlike the exotic tea from Jeju Island, the gifts he gives each one are truly unique and essential to share.

Timothy encouraged the church to do this very thing. When we share the gifts God gives us, we experience a greater picture of the image of God stamped in each one of us. His kindness toward us is meant to share. Be encouraged to generously share His goodness.