Giving...it's not just about $$$

Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 4:11 ~
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you...KJV

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you...NIV

Also, make it your goal to live quietly, do your work, and earn your own living, as we ordered you...GWT

Proverbs 19:17 ~
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. KJV

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done. NIV

If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD--and he will repay you! NLT

Observation:
Barnes' Notes on the Bible ~
We give to the poor. Have we lost our gift? No, what we gave, we have lent to One who will repay with usury. Compare the yet nobler truth of our Lord's teaching Matthew 25:40.

Gill's Exposition on the Entire Bible ~
A man, whose heart is full of compassion to the poor, and whose hands distribute to their necessities, from a true principle of love and charity to men, and with a view to the glory of God, and not from any selfish principle and with a end; such a man's gift to the poor is a loan to the Lord; it is not cast away upon the creature, but is a "depositum" in the hands of God, and shall be returned with advantage; and that which he hath given will, he pay him again; either in this life, in things temporal and spiritual, increasing his worldly substance, blessing his posterity, granting him larger measures of grace, indulging him with his gracious presence, and giving him peace of mind, which passeth all understanding; or in the world to come; not as a reward of debt, but of grace....

Application:
Giving. Sometimes all that comes to mind when we here that word is money. But it is more than that. One can give such things as time, mercy, compassion, love, grace, prayers. Today find an opportunity where you can give, not in a monetary way but in a creative way which will let someone know that you care. Give what you have.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to help others. Give me creative ideas to give to those in need. While giving money to someone or some cause is good, taking the time to actually meet the need may be a more excellent way to let them know that I care. In Jesus name, amen.