Don't Block the Blessings

Are you a giver? Do you love to do things for others? 

• Make some cookies and take them to someone, just because. 
• Send a beautiful card to a friend just to make their day. 
• Give that person you know is struggling with an issue a phone call so they know they are not alone. 
• Visiting one of the elderly that you know spends a lot of time alone. 

The list can go on and on but these are some of the things a giver does. They try to meet others needs before they are known.

One characteristic about these givers, they normally don’t like to have the same thing done to them. When someone offers to do something for them, the response is normally something like “oh no I’m fine, thanks”. I’m sure there are all these physiological issues why they are like that, but I’m not a physiologist so I don’t know the answers. 

I tend to be a giver and my reason is simple. I like to make people happy. I enjoy doing something nice for someone and God tells me to give. There is nothing hard or confusing about that reasoning.

Acts 20:35
35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Giving in a right spirit is an example of our love for Christ. We are to be Christ-like, that is what being a Christian means. When you give to someone you are showing your soul and belief system. 

So if you are a giver, be of good cheer, you are doing God’s work. But here is the catch. It you are not allowing yourself to be a receiver, then, uh-oh, you might be “blocking the blessings”.

We need to learn to how to accept good deeds from others also. Because guess what, they are trying to do God’s work also. If you say no to them, then you are “blocking the blessings” that God is trying to send your way. The person that is trying to help you, or be kind to you is doing their job.

So this week, if someone does something for you, just say “Thanks, that made my day” and keep moving.

The Giving Life.

It is that time of year that most people are in the giving mood. We are happily running around getting gifts for those we love. Baking tons of cookies and breads that will be given as gifts and consumed. Decorating our homes, offices and cars in holiday themes. Making everything merry and bright.

Along the way we may drop a few coins in the Red Kettles send a check to a local charity or buy a gift for a child in need. Everywhere we turn we are being asked to give, give some more, then dig deeper and give again.

If you are like me you enjoy giving and you want to help every cause you can, but you can’t. Those dollars only stretch so far.

Giving make us feel good. We enjoy making people happy and the act of presenting someone with gift and watching them open it brings us joy. Why is it better to give than receive? The Bible tells us so.

Acts 20:35
I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 

Jesus was a giver. He gave to the poor, He healed the sick, He raised some from their death but most of all, He gave His life for us. Yes, Jesus was a giver.

Being a giver is a matter of the heart.

2 Corinthians 9:6
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:

“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”

All this giving and doing for others sometimes leaves us exhausted, financially broke and emotionally tired, especially this time of year. We have so much to do and it all comes at once. No matter how much we prepare for it and do what we can ahead of time, when crunch time comes, it comes with a vengeance.

God gives us hope and encourages us not to grow weary.

Galatians 6:9-10
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. 

  Let’s talk about the one person that sometimes we don’t give to. . . ourselves. Now I’m not telling you to go buy yourself a gift, although that isn’t a bad idea sometimes. But how about giving yourself the gift of eternal life. After this worldly life is over, you can live a life of bliss with Jesus in Heaven.

This holiday season, give yourself the gift of Christ – it doesn’t cost a dime, just your obedience and commitment.

Read the plan of salvation that Jesus has for you.

May God bless you.