Getting a tie isn't common anymore. It used to be a common gift for my Dad at Father's Day, but I rarely receive ties myself. Granted, my dad was a pastor and wore a tie every Sunday, but I only wear a tie to weddings and funerals (and the occasional time I dress to impress). My normal wardrobe includes jeans, a button down shirt, and on a day with a big meeting... a blazer. But rarely a tie.
One of the ladies from our shop handed me a box that was wrapped. It was a Christmas present from all of them to me. I opened the neatly wrapped gift and found a silver tie. They had gone to Macy’s to buy me a tie. They had never seen me in a tie before, but as they thought about what to get me, that is what they concluded. I think the gift was a sign of respect. I stood looking at that tie and looking into each of their faces and was overwhelmed by their generosity.
That day I learned a few new thoughts about generosity:
- Generosity is rooted in love – When you authentically give to another person, it's a sign of belief. By giving from what you have, you are hoping that the other person gains in some greater way than you. That love for the other person is greater than your personal accumulation. The ladies in our shop gave me a gift that was rooted in love.
- Generosity is not about a number – Gifts in America have too often been minimized to a question of, "how much am I planning on spending on this person?" Generosity is a selfless act. An act where we want to give to others something that matters. When we want to give out of generosity, we are giving a gift that is more than money, it's out of thoughtful consideration to bless another human. That tie is now one of the most valuable pieces of clothing I own.
- Receiving others' generosity creates humility – Standing in front of those seven women receiving their generous gift made me feel very small. They gave out of very little—something that touched me more than they can ever understand. To receive their generosity, makes me want to be a more generous person to others. In a moment when you are on the receiving end of a generous gift, it doesn't only cause thankfulness, it compels us to be more generous.
This post was written by Jeff Shinabarger.
