Yesterday I wrote about the Indian mural painted by master artist Clifton Shepherd that is on display in the Honey Lake Plantation Gathering Hall. I was mistaken in thinking that the former owner hadn’t “noticed” the painting. As it turns out he not only “noticed” it, but went to great pains to preserve the priceless painting to ensure that future generations might enjoy it for years to come.
In fact he appreciates Clifton Shepherd’s art enough to have purchased a C.S. original which hangs in his home. He commissioned an art historian to research the Honey Lake mural and catalog most of C.S.’s works for him. During the process he discovered a masterpiece located at the headquarters of U.S. Sugar which he offered to buy, but they turned him down telling him that it was “not for sale. He in fact went to great links to preserve the painting including installing air conditioning and a sump pump in the basement where it resided in an effort to control the Florida moisture and humidity. Also at great expense the painting was painstakingly restored in 1989 and again in 1994.
He related to me that he could have kept it for himself or donated it to several museums that wanted it badly, but the actual reason that he left the mural was that he felt that it would be a sin to separate it from the plantation,. He went on to tell me that he is happy that it is forever protected and in a great place to be seen by many.
I’m deeply appreciative that he did so and so will you when you see it. I was thinking about this gesture and it reminds me of how God intends for us to give. This man obviously greatly admired this artist and cherished his art, and yet unselfishly left this valuable mural in order that it might continue to reside at the plantation where it was created and it can be protected, and “seen by many”.
The key points are that he gave away something of great value to himself, and did so in an entirely unselfish manner. He may never actually see a visitor walk into the Honey Lake Plantation Gathering Hall and see them gasp as they marvel at this masterpiece, but he can envision the joy that it will create. The same holds true for the landowners in this community who plant live oaks. These stately oaks grow so slowly that it will take generations to form the magnificent moss draped canopies that we all love, and even though the person doing the planting might not ever live long enough to enjoy their ultimate splendor, folks around here, (including me), plant them at every opportunity.
Jesus related this story about a poor widow who: “came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny… Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.”
She gave and was blessed by God Himself, not for the amount which was worth only a fraction of a penny in value and much less than the large amounts being thrown in by the rich, but hers was of greater value, because Jesus saw and knew her motives for giving; He looked at her heart. Her motives were pure. She was not giving to be seen of men, or giving something of little or no value to her. In her case she was literally giving all she had. She was giving because she loved God and for the joy of giving back to Him. I feel certain that the Lord who sees from heaven blessed this poor widow with joy in her heart throughout the remainder of her life, and then when she died heaped untold treasure upon her to enjoy in heaven for eternity.
Some of my friends give mightily to great causes like hospitals or whatever, and have their names etched on buildings; others do it quietly and even threaten to withhold their gift if word gets out of their generosity. I prefer a reward from God rather from men. The satisfaction of giving something of value that will help others and further God’s work and give joy to others cannot be measured.
I would highly advise that if you are not currently giving in such a manner, (giving of something that is deeply meaningful to you, be it your treasure or your time), that you do so at your first opportunity. Don’t do it to impress your neighbor, but for the sheer joy that will come from giving.
Personally I do not see how anyone can enjoy life to its fullest without doing so. Like planting a live oak or majestic longleaf pine, you might not ever see the end result in your lifetime, but you can envision others enjoying it and the good that will come from it and your gifts will still receive God’s blessings.
The joy of holding on to your cash or spending all of your time on yourself will never compare to giving. God tells us in the Bible to test Him on this. He loves a cheerful giver and what can compare to the love of our God. Certainly not those stinking dirty dollar bills…
Luke 12:18
Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”‘
But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”