Ever stop and ask yourself, “Why do people hold their breath?”
There are several reasons why.
Some do it for spite, or to try to get their way. Some hold their breath because they can’t stand the stench in the atmosphere around them. Others may not like the way a certain food tastes, so they plug their nose, throw in the food, chew and swallow, THEN release their nose. I guess that works.
Breath is something everyone needs. We were created with the need to breathe. Without breath we wouldn’t get very far at all.
Since breath is so vital, maybe we should all just hold our breath, keep what is ours, and make sure we always have it in case of a crisis. After all, you never know when you may need that gasp of breath.
I’ve noticed some people treat their time, treasure, and talents like their breath. It’s theirs, to use as they see fit. Some people have so much (earned, inherited, whatever), yet they are continually grasping (or gasping) for more. I’ve also heard of people who will stop their giving because they don’t like a decision made in their church. Or they’ll withhold their time to “teach someone a lesson”.
Have you ever tried holding your breath, like our friendly cat, and without letting any air out, try to get more in? You can only do that for so long. Pretty soon you’ll lose what you have to gain what you need to take in.
Breath is vital, but hold it too long and you die.
Proverbs 11:24,25 says, “Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” (NLT)
Jesus said, “Give and it will be given to you…the way you measure out is the way it will be measured to you.” (Paraphrased)
Now if you give all your breath away, you will die. If you try to hold it forever, you will die. The only way to live is to let the cycle of giving work in your life. You exhale, then inhale. You give, then receive. You touch people, they touch you. You bless others, you become blessed.
People don’t exhale for a tax deduction. Nor do they exhale just at Christmas time.
Breathing is part of living.
So is giving.
Jan Grace 