Give freely

What is a gift? I mean really how do you define a true gift? I have heard a lot of different ways of doing this, but my all time favorite is this. A gift is something given freely with no expectation of repayment. We say we give, but do we really?
We give people our time, our talents but many times we expect them to do something for us in return. We give people money, but we expect some form of repayment in return. So are we truly giving, and if so how do we decide what to give.
I'm preaching on the second half of Acts the 3rd chapter but I want to recap the first half of that chapter. Here's the text:
One day Peter and were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,rise and walk."
So clearly what this man wanted was some food or money. He was looking for a means to meet his needs, but instead his life was changed forever. We need to look closely at this as we understand we don't really have the money to give when others are asking, but there are things we have. We need to give what we have, we all have time, talents and a personal relationship with CHrist to share.
Don't pass up any opportunity you may have to meet someone's needs spiritually. That five minute conversation when you need to get somewhere. That extra stop on the way home from a long day to make a difference in someone else's day. Do those things, give what you do have and give it freely.
ANother translation of this verse says "what I have I give freely." We need to give, truly give what we have so that we can make a difference in the lives of others. ANyone can give when repayment is expected, but it's totally different when we give with no repayment plan in mind. Afterall this is exactly what Christ did for you on the cross!