Giving

It has been said many times by leaders and missionaries of the past that you cannot give what you do not possess. I could really focus here on the negative aspect of this. I could rebuke governments for giving away what we don't have which results in printing money without backing it in gold. I could talk about personal credit card debt of Americans who give gifts and presents while having nothing in the account to back it up.
But I want to speak positively to make us think about others for a change instead of the big ME.
Your life and mine is NOT about Me. Its not about what can I get. For example your marriage will not last if it is about what you get out of it. Rather it is about serving and loving the one chosen to be your spouse and having Christ in the center of that relaitonship.
but think about the following examples and perhaps dialogue with some others close to you about it. It may change your life, your relationships, maybe even the place that you live. Wouldn't that be radical?

-You cannot give money until you have made some yourself.
-You cannot give away a song unless you have a song in your heart.
-You cannot give clean water if you do not have the resources or the know-how to give it.
-You cannot give away fresh vegetables if you never planted your garden.
-You cannot give away firewood if you never cut any.
-You cannot give hope to others if you do not possess it yourself.
-You cannot give shelter to the homeless if you do not have it or know how to provide yourself.
-You cannot give advice to those in another language until you possess the skills or have a tranlsator that can speak their language.
-You cannot give away Jesus unless you have Him yourself.
-You cannot give away love unless you possess it yourself.
-You cannot minister with compassion unless you already possess it.

You cannot give what you do not possess. What is it that you want to give? Do you possess it yourself? If not why? If not what will you do about it?