Encouragement: The Key to Caring

Dr. Larry Crabb and Dr. Dan Allendar put together a book back in the early 80's entitled Encouragement, The Key to Caring. This was a re-read for me as I prepared to speak on the subject of encouragement last week at a congregation.

I've heard a lot of people speak on the subject of encouragement but I've not seen anyone come close to these guys on nailing the subject, particularly when it comes to using words to encourage. They do a great job of identifying the obstacles that keep people from encouraging and being encouraged. Here's are two big takeaways for me.

"Words that encourage are 1) inspired by love, and 2) directed towards fear."

Then Proverbs 25:20 really stood out to me. Your attempt to encourage someone may be pointless if your attempt does not specifically address the other person's fears.

Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart
is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
and like vinegar on soda.

Making a million

What if you had to make a million dollars in 30 days?
What if you couldn't spend a dime to get started?
What if you had to do it all online?
What if the million dollars wasn't for you?
What if getting half-way there isn't good enough?

...What would you do?

Obviously, I don't expect you to share your secrets, but if you want to discuss go ahead.

Giving so you don't have to later

Do you know people who are extremely generous? You may be one of them. There are some people that will give to others on regular occasions when the recipient didn't ask or even need what they received. Unexpected gifts are nice. I enjoy them as much as the next person. There's nothing wrong with giving like this ... or is there?

I've seen people who received these unexpected gifts turn around later and ask the same person who gave them these gifts for help with more important and serious matters. The person that did the giving all of the sudden had nothing left to give.

If you can give unexpected gifts, great! If you genuinely can't help when someone has a real need, that's ok. But, if you give now so you don't have to give later, then your gifts were no gifts at all.

Giving is a privilege and responsibility. Treat it as such.