One thing that I have learned over my years is how to give. Now, that may seem like something I should have learned in Kindergarten, along with sharing and kindness. If you think about it, people give all the time. Most of the major Internet-based services we use on a daily basis are free to use. Think Facebook, Twitter, weather apps, even apps to tell us where the cheapest gas or petrol is at. All are free for us to use. But we all know that they’re not really free; there are strings attached. But this isn’t an article about Digital Citizenship or a privacy warning. While those entitles are giving something away, they expect something in return.
The one big lesson I learned about giving is doing so without strings or expectation of return. We often give as an investment instead of simply being generous. But let’s pump the brakes a moment. When I say give, I have many things in mind and not just the giving of money. We can give love, goods, friendship, advice, time, attention, skills, aid, hugs, gifts, mercy, grace, food, a ride, knowledge, our prayers, and much more.
The Bible says, “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.” (Romans 13:8, NLT) We often want to create a sense of debt when we give. Businesses do this all the time. But our real obligation is to love one another.
In this, we are mirroring God’s model. God gave us life which we misused from the beginning. He could have wiped the earth and started over again. But He didn’t. The Bible says, “For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.” (Romans 11:29, NLT) God doesn’t pull back or withdraw His gifts.
The practical edge is this. When something is given, it is given with no strings or expectations of return. A gift is not an investment; it is a gift pure and simple. When I give to the church, I don’t make demands on how it is used but trust the Holy Spirit to lead and direct. But Jesus warned, “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16, NLT) So, if there is something wolfish going on, then a gift is not given.
My encouragement for you is this, strive to give with no strings attached. Give to others out of the storehouses of your heart without the taint of control or expectation of a return. Love simply for the sake of love. When compared with the rest of our lives, this idea of giving without strings is a foreign country with a new language and different culture. But one that is closer to the Kingdom of God than you can imagine.
Side note: Some may read this article as an invitation to ask Lambchow or me for a gift. Please don’t read it that way. The point of this article isn’t what you can get but what you can give. Lambchow freely offers our Bible Studies and writings; that is our gift to you given without strings attached. What do you have to give?
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