When I was young people would say to me "It must be difficult growing up in the shadow of your father." Yes it was. It was not until years later that I understood there is a difference between the "shade" of a father and the shadow. While there were struggles that were painful to us both about my being "Jr. ” the advantages gradually eclipsed the difficulties ” and today I am grateful for the shade of wisdom my father provided.

Years ago I asked him to reflect on giving. While he had practiced giving all his life” I had never seen anything in writing. On one of our several trips together before he died my father talked it out with me ” and here is the essence of what he said:

For me” giving is divided into four types. They may not vary by the amount but they vary greatly by the motive ” effect and reward.

The gift. The gift becomes known but not the giver – or at least the giver does not let it be advertised to his glory. The widow's mite was known but not because she rang the bell with the gift. She quietly demonstrated her faith with her sacrifice not knowing anyone would notice. It may be difficult to truly give anonymously because in our deepest heart of hearts we do not yet believe we are giving to God and that He sees and is pleased and will reward as He sees fit.

A purchase posing as a gift. Here the giver buys a reward” and it is generally recognition or social position. It is well publicized. Your "gift" purchases you a reputation. It would be more accurate to call this "giving as an expense." It is the price of admission. As Scripture says of the Pharisees "They have their reward." It does not say the reward was wrong or inappropriate; it simply says when you give for human reasons you get human rewards. If you want the reward here you get it…but there is no reward in heaven. You can enjoy the reputation as a great philanthropist ” but you cannot endow a sainthood.

Giving as investment. Giving as investment is particularly attractive to those who are acquisitive and concerned more with leverage and return than gratitude and love. They are protecting God from others misusing the money. There is little interest in giving to small things – only things that will "change the game.” This is not giving but investing. It is not just a reward but a return on investment that is expected.

The ultimate reward. The ultimate reward for the profitable servant is to hear the Master say” "Well done enter into my joy." It requires a great deal more humility than most of us possess to desire being a profitable servant. Money makes it more attractive and tempting to play the master. The Master did not ask the servant how well known he was what his standing was in the community how he enjoyed himself or what were his future plans. He simply asked "How were you profitable to me?" When we fulfill our purpose completely we can expect the joy of The Lord. Profitability to the Master out of love and gratitude is a great and proper calling.