Should We Give Until It Hurts?

The word hurt carries a very strong and negative emotional connotation. The reason for this is because hurt is associated with pain. There are several ways we feel pain in this broken world – physically, mentally, spiritually and relationally. It may appear odd then that Mother Teresa, a premier example of what it means to live out generosity, is quoted in saying, “Give, but give until it hurts.” Because of our association with the word hurt, most of us would not find this a welcoming invitation to practice generosity. However, if we look at the life work of Mother Teresa, we see a woman who immersed herself in the messiness of a broken world by giving her life to serve those in extreme poverty, while also living with a deep sense of joy. Mother Teresa’s story may cause us to wonder how can we give until it hurts with great joy? While we should strive to stretch ourselves in our giving, we shouldn’t just give until it hurts; we should give because it’s joyful.

The writer of the book of Hebrews reveals Jesus’ approach in this way, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross…” (12:2). Jesus not only gave until it hurt, he gave until he died. But why did he do this? It was for the joy set before him. He didn’t give out of a sense of unwilling obligation. He didn’t go to the cross kicking and screaming. The glory that awaited him in Heaven, the reunion with his heavenly father and his love for you and me all filled him with great joy that he willingly gave the ultimate gift of his life. Because of Jesus’ act on the cross a way has been made for us to have joy even when it hurts. Because of Jesus we can see how Mother Teresa can say “give until it hurts” while surrounded by extreme poverty and then stoop down to embrace a sick and starving child in her arms with a smile on her face and compassion in her heart.

Our own giving should “hurt” at some level, but it should also have joy. It should be sacrificial, and it should cost us something. However, “giving until it hurts” in and of itself not the standard. Joyful giving should be the standard. Consider the many ways giving creates joy in our lives. When we give, we are creating opportunities to share life and be in relationship with others. When we give, we are worshipping God for the many gifts he’s given. When we give, we experience satisfaction and gratitude because we’re helping others. Most importantly, when we give, we are becoming more like Jesus and living into the fullness of who we are! When viewed in this way giving is not painful at all. Rather, it’s a well of deep joy!