“Give your best and God will make up the rest” has been my motto for the last 25 years.
I am the full-time volunteer manager of a charity shop for a Christian homelessness organisation. We have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years to fund the work of the charity, but the shop is also a way to love and serve people. Ministry first, then community, then finally retail.
Running the shop has taught me to see every exchange, every conversation, as part of God’s provision.
We love our customers and the shop has a strong sense of community. We know our regulars by name, and I often give away goods at cheaper prices or for free if I know someone cannot afford them. Sometimes, even minutes later, someone else offers to overpay for an item or we find a valuable item to sell in the depths of a bag of donations. God is so good to us. He provides in all sorts of ways, and there is always a story to tell of His faithfulness.
Once, a lady called Ruth came in and told me that her mother had recently passed away. Every ornament, book and piece of furniture told stories of a life well lived. Rather than throwing the contents in a skip as some families do, Ruth donated everything but the kitchen sink to our shop.
A week later, Ruth returned and saw a young couple buying her mother’s favourite tea set. I could see how joyful and content she was. Her loss had become someone else's luxury and her mother’s kindness lived on in another home.
All my volunteers have heard me say one of my favourite verses at least once (and probably more times!):
‘“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
We see this truth every day in the shop. Each day reminds me that generosity is not about what we give away, but what God multiplies through it. His abundance always flows through open hands. We can never outgive God and, in our giving, we are blessed.
Polly Odbert
Volunteer Shop Manager, New Hope
Reflect
‘…serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.'
Galatians 5:13-14
Pray
- Pray for those who serve others every day, that they would feel honoured, valued and seen.
- Ask God to help you notice and honour people whose work often goes unappreciated.
- Thank Him for every person who gives their time and effort to help others.
Act
A generosity challenge for you to complete today:
| Give a small gift to someone who serves you today, such as a bus driver, shop worker, barista or security guard. It could be chocolate, a drink or a note. Take a moment to thank them for showing up. You might be the only one who does. |
About New Hope
New Hope is a Christian charity in Watford supporting people to move from homelessness to independent living through crisis care, recovery programmes and long-term accommodation. Last year, their team provided more than 18,000 nights of shelter, plus practical, compassionate help to hundreds of people rebuilding their lives.
