If you are anything like me, you love receiving gifts, but the biggest thing shouldn’t be receiving, but giving. See, in II Corinthians 9:7 (NIV), it says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” This verse tells us concerning a cheerful giver that when it’s from the heart it should be voluntary, not forced, or feeling obligated. This matters to God. Why? Because “cheerful givers” give happily, with love unconditional, willingly, without expecting anything in return, and when the favor isn’t returned to them, they do not hold it against you or be like, “You remember when,” or “How ‘bout that time, so many times, “ or “Let’s not forget I was the one who done this or done that for you.” This is not God or Godly behavior. If a Christian or person reacts in this manner, this has now become a grudge; it has caused them to be under compulsion.
When you give, blessings come back to you tenfold. Also, it feels good to do so, liberating, in fact, to give without any regulations. Give from a spontaneous heart, someone needs encouragement today, just a little help/push in the right direction, just to be reminded not to give up, that there are still good people out here who care, and we must show the God in us by letting our light shine forth. If you choose to give under hatred, constraint, uncertainty, with malice or force in your heart, then you are not truly giving to the Lord. Now I’m not saying here, allow someone to continuously take advantage of you, because there are some who will, and believe you me, will try and use your being a Christian against you by telling you it’s your God-given right to give them what they ask or need, but I say, “God gave us plenty of good senses too,” to not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of. We have good hearts, big hearts, or both, and we tend to let folks, friends, our neighbors, coworkers, family, and our children use and walk all over us because we don’t know how to say “NO” or we’re afraid to say “NO.”
Leviticus 25:17 (NIV) says, “Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am the LORD your God,” meaning to treat each other with dignity, love, fairness, and respect. In all things, fear God, not just being the receiver, but being the giver too. Nothing is one sided. It must all be done accordingly and righteously. It’s time out for playing the victim (as the receiver) and “biting the hand that feeds you.” So yeah, fear God in all things, but not in the sense of being afraid of God but fear his judgment should you decide to disobey Him, rather a cheerful giver or a malicious receiver.
It is said, “If you want respect, you got to give respect,” or “Give respect where it is due.” Don’t allow someone folks who you have loved unconditionally, cherished, and tried to help repeatedly make you feel less than or bad because you decided “enough was enough,” God isn’t. Prayers for them NEVER HAVE TO CEASE, now this is love unconditional, because technically, you’ve done your part, it’s time for them to help themselves if they choose to. And for those who have been the constant takers, STOP stirring up strife because you’ve become angry at not having a free hand-out any longer. You should confess this sin, repent, and ask God for forgiveness, and then also ask the one(s) you’ve wronged and hurt for forgiveness.
You have got to learn that some things given are just a seed, and that what you sow, you reap. Having a helping hand never hurts anyone, but when you aren’t trying to help yourself, it’s taking advantage, and eventually, this could cause hurt, pain, and hatred between all parties involved. Therefore, when you know better, you do better, because knowing is growing, especially when it’s from the heart. Until next time folks!!
