Give It Back
If there’s ever anyone in need she will bend over backwards to help them.
Reference: “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. (1 Chronicles 29:14 NIV)
Explore: My mother has dedicated her whole life to our family. If there’s ever anyone in need she will bend over backwards to help them.
As I look back over the 34 years of my life, I can’t think of a time when she hasn’t given me love, support and aid when I’ve needed it.
When I broke my finger in year 7, she was the one to be my right hand. When my husband and I were struggling to conceive, she was the one to comfort me as I sobbed with grief. When we were looking to buy a house, she was the one willing to back us financially. She has helped me practically, emotionally and continually!
Every year for Mother’s Day or her birthday I like to buy her something special and write her a card to express how much I love her. Mum always plays down the present giving and I can never really think of anything we can buy her. But how can I not buy my mother something? Each present is only ever a small token of how much she has already given to me.
Application: In this same way, God has blessed each of us greatly. Every new day His love, mercy and grace for us is renewed.
And yet, when it comes to giving back to us we often hesitate. We quibble over a few dollars at offering time; we hold tightly to every hour of the day; and we write up a mental pros and cons list to decide whether we should help someone else.
God has given us everything and yet we often hold back from Him. Let’s switch up our attitude. Rather than holding everything we have tightly to our chest, let’s hold all of God’s blessings loosely. That way, when we have the opportunity to give back to Him, we can be just like King David, and we can share freely from our many blessings.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me when I hold so tightly to that which You have given me that I don’t have a free hand to help others or even to truly praise You. May I be more inclined to give than store things up for myself. Amen.
What are you holding too tightly?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.