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Give and Receive

Many of us have a complicated internal narrative when it comes to giving and receiving, and we often struggle with both. We enjoy being the ones who give but are not comfortable when it comes to receiving.

Donating to charity makes us feel good, but none of us wants to feel like a “charity case.” We take pride in picking up the tab for dinner, yet we are almost offended when someone tries to pay on our behalf. On the flip side, we might hoard our resources to the extent that it becomes challenging to let go and be generous.

In terms of philanthropy, we often prefer to give rather than receive for a simple reason: we enjoy the power that comes with being the giver. We relish the control we have (we can give as much as we want, but no more). We sit in the driver’s seat.

Unfortunately, this distorted motivation affects how we give and how we perceive our interactions with others. Instead of giving (or receiving) within the framework of a collective “we” narrative, a community helping one another of which we are just one part, we give with an individual focus. We seek personal benefits such as feeling better about ourselves, garnering love or admiration, or gaining a position or gratitude from others.

The Golden Rule is not merely about equitable exchange; it's about perception: a call to truly see one another. Jesus urges us to let people recognize us as His disciples by observing how we love one another.

The apostle Paul reminds us that all believers are part of the same body, emphasizing that giving should be a demonstration of the love we have for the other members of the body, a way to show God’s care for people. Everything we have from God is a result of His grace. Through it, we can share with others, participating in His kingdom. Truly, there is greater benefit in giving than in receiving.

Lord, thank You for the privilege of managing the resources, affections, and character that You have given me. Help me receive, with thankfulness, what You send through others. Guide me to share what I have with others and to support them while demonstrating Your love.

Yellow Balloons explores the far-reaching applications and impact of just one of the servant leadership tools: the power of perspective to transform people and organizations. The Yellow Balloons Devotionals are a daily reminder of the great opportunities of life, connecting age-old biblical truths with our modern-day lives in a way that is simple, practical, and easy to understand. Get a free copy of the book Yellow Balloons: Finding Power to Live Above Our Circumstances by Tim Dun through this link: https://yellowballoons.net/power-to-live-above-our-circumstances/