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!