Give It Away

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.                                                                              Matthew 6:19-21

There is a saying used often in Alcoholics Anonymous that goes “You can’t keep it unless you give it away”. That paradoxical quote is full of wisdom. The idea is that for those in recovery (and all of us, really), we can’t really maintain the values of things unless we give them away. Another old truth applies here as well- “You can’t take it with you”. Yes, we can bequeath our wealth and possessions to others when we die, but that is not “keeping it”. The way to derive true value from our wealth, our wisdom and our work is to make sure that others benefit from it.

For those in recovery, they say, and I agree, the best way to maintain sober living is to invest in the success of another addict (perhaps as a sponsor). The joy and responsibility involved in that process helps to ensure a successful program for both sponsor and sponsee.  

I recently met with a man in recovery who shared with me that he believed that part of the reason for some of his past relapses had been because he had avoided sponsoring another addict. He had, be believed, unwittingly sabotaged himself by failing to invest well in other addicts.

We all must make decisions about how we “give it away” to others. Many may give money to cherished causes; many volunteer time to worthy projects; others mentor people, teach young people etc.

Whatever way we decide to “give it away”, we can’t go wrong. That is the way we can get great joy and value from what we have.

Prayer: Lord, remind us of how we are to share what you have given to us, Amen