Freely Giving...
Not everyone is called for such hard work of endurance in Street Ministry as a Missionary, Evangelist, or Social Worker. This is not a work that is glamorous or to be taken lightly. The Ministry of Helps is not a joke, it is serious business, but at the same time, it is rewarding and a delightful spiritual experience in the discovery of the inner self, in freely giving out of love... a regeneration process of the Holy Spirit of God from the inside to the outer courts of a person's being takes place.Giving is a spiritual willing act of love from the heart. It is not to be done grudgingly, or out of obligation or out of necessity just because you feel a need to give out of guilt. Freely Giving of one's self, time or money, or goods is to be done out of love with purpose, voluntarily and systematically, because God loves a cheerful giver who gives freely from the heart.
Freely giving out of love to help others in need, or in a personal relationship to a mate is known to be conduit to receiving the rewards and blessings of God in your life. Even if you are not a believer in the knowledge of a true living God, it doesn't matter. God our Creator has given to all whom He has created His inner spiritual nature and qualities, His likeness and image of being a GIVER OUT OF LOVE. It is in our nature to freely give selflessly to others, because we were all created by Him. Yes, there are those who are selfish, and think what they own, their time and personhood belongs to them only... WRONG! Consider what do you have, it is not your's, it was given to you to bless others. Even so, God gives you breath of life, and strength every morning to get up out and about to work, you can't do this on your own, none of your possessions belongs to you, not even your life! God gives and can take away without our permission, if He sees fit to do so, at any given time. We are to share love through giving from our hearts in gratitude toward God.
Love is an act of giving as Jesus speaks, “Give to whoever ask of you, and do not turn the person away who ask to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for God makes His sun rise (gives life) on the evil and on the good, and sends rain (blessings) on the just and on the unjust. For if you only love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet (be friendly towards) your brothers and sisters only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?" Matthew Chapter 5: verses 43-47.
It is our heart attitude by which we freely Give Love. If you're in a relationship and don't feel that your mate is giving you enough love. Why not freely give your love more willingly and openly to him or her without expecting, waiting, and needing your mate to reciprocate? He or she may be needing you to make to first move toward freely giving of your love, someone has to be the FIRST to freely give. If you're single and feeling alone, bored, empty and incomplete, give yourself away to others in your church, synagogue, temple, nursing home, hospital, or homeless shelter wherever there's a need for volunteer help. There is much work to be done all around you for the sake of giving out of love.
Keeping in mind that, "the person(s) you help by freely giving of your love today, may very well be replaced by your request for help from a stranger or family members or friends tomorrow."
For while we were yet without knowledge of God, He demonstrated His love for us by FREELY GIVING. "For God SO LOVED the world that He GAVE His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ, so that whosoever (that's you and I), believes in Christ should not perish but have everlasting life."
Comments (5)
I have been in a position of caring for most of my life...I am not Christian but believe in giving back to the community...many patients or others that I have worked with know my work is challenging...the sick or poor are not always gracious but it takes a person that can see how fortunate we are (I am) to understand their own self neglect or indifference...walking in others' shoes sort to speak...materialism is just another crutch to disguise unhappiness...altruism doesn't exist as far as I am concerned...when we help others...it can be a reward...it makes us feel good!!
I've noticed that sometimes, but of course its not the norm. I don't work in a caregiving profession though. I wonder why some respond unkindly to charity? Some people understand, like you, Lou. Others are offput by it.
I remember someone telling me how they saw someone on the street who looked like they needed financial help, so he stopped to give them some cash. He told me they just grabbed it. Didn't say thank you or anything. He never forgot that, and spoke of it years later, as it hardened him a little in heart.
I remember being approached in a store, told a sad story, so gave a good amount of cash. I happened to run into the person again later, though they did not see me. They were speaking to a friend and laughing at the number of people they had conned.
People who give are often used over and over again by others. However, that does not mean to stop giving. Gratitude is important, but giving must be its own reward.