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Giving To Be Given To?

Giving to be given to? What is up with that? Do we give of ourselves just for personal gain? Do we feel if we give to others that they will give us a reward?

I was walking casually down my street looking for nothing but time to devote to myself, when I saw an elderly man having a hard time bringing his trash out to the road. As I continued to walk on, I started to think of what my reward would be for helping the man with his trash - - a quick thank you and most-likely a long explanation on how hard it is getting old, or possibly a few bucks. I then made my way over to help him hoping he was in a generous mood.

Why should we help others?

In Acts 20:35 it says, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

-- Romans 15:1-2 says, "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." Here we see that if we are capable of helping someone in need, we should put aside our personal feelings or desires, and lend a hand. We need to focus on the needs of others and show them we care and want the best for them.

-- Philippians 4:17-18, "Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account."

-- Proverbs 14:21, "He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy." The Bible tells us we shouldn't have bad feelings toward another but rather show them kindness.

-- Hebrews 13:15-16, "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." As you can see the Bible wants us to make some sacrifices. Selfishness is what keeps us from giving of ourselves. Jesus sacrificed His very own life for the good of all mankind. I think we can help the needy even in just a small way.

Who should we help?

-- Proverbs 19:17 says, "He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done."

-- Isaiah 58:7, "Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"

-- Proverbs 31:20, "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy."

As we can see in these verses, it doesn't really matter who we are helping, as long as they have a need. You know, some people out there may be poor or even homeless because they never had anyone to be there and lend a hand to help them through the hard times. Let's not be like that. Matthew 20:27-28 says, "and whoever wants to be first must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." So let's model ourselves after Jesus, who devoted His time and effort to the service and needs of others.

Should we expect a reward?

The answer is no. We should never expect to receive a reward if we help someone. But the fact of the matter is, God is pleased when we help others. He will no doubt reward us - - if not now, on earth, then in the end when we get to heaven.

-- Psalm 112:5, "Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice."

-- Proverbs 22:9, "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor."

-- 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

-- Deuteronomy 15:10-11, "Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to."

So, I think it is plain to see, giving of ourselves is something very important. Time can't be replaced, so let's use the time we have now to help those in need. We don't even need to go looking for the needy. We just need to realize all the need that is around us. Blessings and all that good stuff need to be put aside when we help others. We need to think only of the benefits that will be reaped for the person we are helping, not us.

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