This expression is found in the Bible. Our human nature, what do we prefer to receive?
Naturally we become happy when someone gets close to us and gives us something. Apart from what they give us, it does not make us blessed. A key is, in what spirit are they giving it.
Some people do not have an inconvience in giving sacrificially but some do.
You and I as adults can hide being bothered if we are asked to give more, meaning to give a portion with joy. A sensation of joy is experienced to see someone happy because of what we have done for them.
God loves the cheerful giver. What do I consider more important? Is there more joy when we give to God or give to man? The logic thing is to say that when we give to God, but I have good news for you: when we give to man is as if we gave to God. This does not mean we need to stop giving to God to give to someone else.
I do not know if you have heard this expression: we do not uncover a hole to cover another one up.
If you are accustomed to reading the Bible, you will find out that they are two different things. We do not give because of emotion but because of obedience.
Allow me to share something personal: Many years ago I understood that everything belongs to God and concerning material things, it helped me in an incredible way.
In Job 1:12 “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither”. When we die we will not take anything with us. And then in 1st Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil”.
It is everyone’s decision and no one should feel pressured to give, May the Lord bless you.
(Editor’s Note: This column is written by a different Littlefield pastor for the Leader-News each week. The columns are published on this page on Wednesdays.)