Can you give something without expecting a return? Before you answer, take a moment and think about it. The reason I say that is because the real heart of a giver just gives. The joy in it for them is when they make the transfer from themselves to whoever the recipient is, not when they get something in return. I believe this is why the Bible teaches us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. If you live to give, you feel blessed, but if you give to receive, you never know when you will be blessed.
I’m not just talking about money and tangible things; I’m also referring to giving our selves in actions and bearing each other’s burdens. The heart of the giver is full when the act of giving happens. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great when someone thanks you for giving or does something in return to show their appreciation, but that’s not why the giver gave.
You may even be upset because you gave to someone or something and you’re waiting to receive a thank you or just some kind of return. Let me encourage you to stop, rethink, and remind yourself that the blessing came when you gave. You didn’t give it to me, but let me say thank you, not for just giving but having the heart to give. That giving spirit resembles the heart of Jesus.
Let this be our prayer:
Create in me, oh God, the heart of a giver like you.
