I challenge each of you to begin an experiment to
test some of the concepts and teachings that most Americans believe
about an endeavor as old as man’s existence—hunting—or whatever else
you enjoy doing.
“It
is more blessed to give than to receive.” Jesus made that promise to each of us, but we
are usually advanced in years before we begin to fully understand this
holy principle. For some of us it became a reality as a young child
when we were able to make or buy our first Christmas present for our
mom or dad. Do you remember how hard it was to wait until December
25th to give that first gift to someone you loved so much? Did you
yield to temptation and give mom or dad the present days before the
blessed Holiday?
As hunters we very often lose sight of the power
of this principle. Sometimes this blessing comes to us in the form of
the first deer taken by a youngster or maybe a spouse. The feeling
that we experience during that special moment is probably deeper than
the excitement of when each of us “became a man” in hunters’ terms.
Sometimes this blessing that Jesus promised to each of us can come in
the form of a deer, maybe even a big deer, when we try to share a good
experience with someone else.
Deer hunting can bring out some the best and some
of the worst human qualities within us. Most of us have seen and/or
experienced what jealousy and envy can do to us and to our hunting
buddies. I’ve witnessed this many times on farms near my home — like
the one pictured on pages 10-11 of this issue. You’ve probably heard
stories of how a huge set of antlers or even a big, healthy doe can
come between friends/enemies. God’s final Commandment speaks directly
to this problem: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You
shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or
maidservant, his ox or donkey or anything (big buck) that belongs to
your neighbor.” We covet when we want the specific thing—no
matter what it is (house, wife, trophy buck)—that belongs to our
neighbor.
Now for the test. I firmly believe that the some
of the greatest blessings and honors are reserved for those hunters
who seek to GIVE the greatest hunting experiences
(first deer, biggest buck, best stand location, etc.) away to others.
Give it a try! God seems to go out of his way to bless those with a
selfless heart. It is the hope of Farmers and Hunters Feeding the
Hungry (FHFH) that you will share the best hunting experiences in
God’s great outdoors with others.
The ultimate gift
that a hunter can give is his deer or other animal that will provide
sustenance and maybe even life itself to his fellowman. To be
privileged to provide a gift of this magnitude is the final blessing
for which we hunt.
YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS CAN SHARE THIS
BLESSING WITH OTHERS BY BEGINNING A NEW FHFH
AREA! | 
