Using Our Gifts

Recently, I was reading in the news about the terrible flooding in Vermont following the devastating rains of Hurricane Irene.  The tiny town of Pittsfield, population 427, was completely cut off when the Tweed River overflowed Route 100, turning the town into an island.  One local restaurant owner, Jason Evans, saw a need and stepped up.  Since all of the meat in his restaurant, the Clear River Tavern, would soon go to waste due to lack of electricity, he instead held a barbecue and cooked for the whole town.  He used his resources, which in this case was a freezer full of food, to feed his neighbors in the time of crisis.

In Texas, where wildfires have destroyed the homes of hundreds in the Austin area, U-Haul of Austin is offering 30-days of free storage to those who were able to escape the flames with a few cherished belongings but now have no place to store them.  They have given what they have, storage space, to help their neighbors.

Anheuser-Busch, known for bottling beer, is also a contributor during national emergencies.  They are uniquely set up to bottle beverages, so during times of crisis they switch to bottling water and donate it where it is needed.  Since this program began in 1988, Anheuser-Busch has donated over 70 million cans of fresh water, 1.4 million of which were donated in 2011 so far.  They have the ability to effectively bottle and distribute water due to this beer-bottling infrastructure, which is something that most businesses are unable to effectively do.

Likewise, Tide is becoming famous for their "Loads of Hope" program.  This mobile truck is equipped with 30 energy-efficient washers and dryers and is capable of washing 300 loads of laundry per day.  It deploys to scenes of disasters.  Again, Tide's business is in laundry, and they are helping where they are best able.

Romans 12:6-8 reads, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.  If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy according with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."  U-Haul is not expected to provide bottled water, nor is Tide expected to provide storage space.  Each gives according to their own gifts and resources.

I have seen emails from Austin where people who have grazing land are offering it, free of charge, to those with large animals who have fled the fires.  I have seen people offering rental properties, free of charge, to displaced families.  What can you offer to your fellow man?  In what way have you particularly been blessed and can share with others?  Prayerfully consider what it is that you can do to help your fellow man, not only in times of crisis but in your everyday life.