Eating Pocket Lint

Pocket lint tastes awful.

My experience began innocently enough. I’d picked up some Starburst jellybeans at the after-Easter sale at Walmart. Because I’m a dental hygienist, I seldom eat candy, (Note: chocolate isn’t candy; it’s a food group) but the Starburst jellybeans were hard to pass up, especially at half-price.

Sitting down at my computer, I had just poured a handful onto the table and tucked the bag away when I heard my daughter’s footsteps.

In an instant, I was a stingy 10-year-old again, trying to hide my favorite candy from my sisters. I scooped up the handful of jellybeans and slid them into my pocket so fast they didn’t even have time to stick to my sweaty palms. I was gazing innocently into my blank computer screen when my daughter passed through on her way outside.

When the coast was clear again, I pulled out the jellybeans and popped a few into my mouth. Proverbs 9:17 flashed through my mind, "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!"

Then I tasted the pocket lint. *Blech!* Those jelly beans came out of my mouth so fast the color was still on them. And so was the lint.

Shamed, I was instantly convicted of my selfishness and embarrassed to have received such swift correction. Jellybean selfishness is a relatively minor thing, but I knew it was a symptom of my heart attitude.

When I act selfishly, I forget that everything good in my life comes from God (James 1:17). And since God has given generously to me, I should follow his example and give generously to others. When I choose to be generous, Scripture says, I will enjoy blessings that far exceed whatever selfish pleasure I can grab for myself.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” I know this is true. On good days, when I share with an abundant hand, I receive more pleasure than I would have if I’d kept the blessing for myself. Those with whom I share are usually grateful, and even if they’re not, I know God is smiling at me. His thumbs up is worth more than an Easter basket full of jellybeans.

I’ve also noticed that when I share liberally, blessings seem to circle back around to me. This doesn’t happen when I give with ulterior motives, because I can never manipulate God’s blessings, but when I share from a grateful heart, God always takes care of me.

Abundantly.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Luke 6:38).

So what’s it going to be? A few jellybeans heavily coated in pocket lint, or God’s gracious plenty, wrapped in a smile?

When have you chosen to refresh someone else and found joy in the doing? I’d love to hear your story. Leave a comment below and join the conversation. If you’re reading by email, click here to comment.

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