Give and You Will Receive

I get frustrated with giving all the time and not receiving, well as I have been seeing it. This morning I was reminded that we don’t give to receive, but our giving is the receiving. It know, it sounds a bit as though I am speaking in circles a bit, and that is why I forget about all that I have received.

You see, we give, not to receive, but to see that others are receiving that which is good and they are in need of, even if they did not realize that it was a need. I don’t give to others to get something from them, I give to them to remove the need from their plate so that they can focus their attention on other things. I provide for them so they do not have to provide for themselves. Here is an example. Lori makes sourdough bread and over the past few weeks started using nitrile gloves so the dough does not stick to her hands. I noticed she was out of them and went to get a pack for her. This example is not a grand gesture, but one that demonstrates giving without looking for receipt.

The thing is that I did receive something far greater and more important than any physical item. I got to witness Lori using the gloves to do what she does. I received satisfaction that I met a need for her. Isn’t that a better receipt than the monetary or physical items.

“³³I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. ³⁴You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. ³⁵In 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.’” – Acts 20:33-35 (ESV)

Paul, who was from the educated and ruling class, did not have physical possessions as he was in the throws of his ministry. He provided for the needs of others and did not worry with accumulating things, as he only focused on his “needs”. Paul received the gift of spending time with others and providing for their needs as opposed to his own.

“²³I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. ²⁴But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. ²⁵Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.” – Philippians 1:23-26 (ESV)

Paul explains his joy is found in remaining in this life to give to others for their joy in the faith and that they might have “ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus”. All the while being content with what he had even being in prison for his actions.

Too often we look to “what’s in it for me” and shy away from thing that do not bring us gifts. This is not the direction of a follower of Christ. We should be looking as to “what can I do for you” knowing that we have what we “need” and will receive joy by ensuring that others are provided for in their needs. I have to remember that I am giving, not to receive, but that I am/will receive just by giving and seeing others needs fulfilled.

Why do you give? Do you give with the expectation that at some point you will receive? What if you were to realize that you are receiving just by giving to fulfill the needs of others?

Lose Your Life to Find It

I am sure that you are like me in that you wonder when God is going to come through for you and take away pain and provide relief. Well, have you ever thought that maybe He is waiting on you to fully obey Him.

“³⁹Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” – Matthew 10:39 (ESV)

This morning I am reminded that in order for me to get the life I always wanted, I have to give up what I want and take up the cross for Christ. I have to deny my own self and provide for the glory of the LORD, then and only then will I reach the heights I was meant.

“²³And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.’” – Luke 9:23-24 (ESV)

I do my best to not be concerned with myself and getting what I want. But, I have to say that it gets frustrating seeing others seemingly getting ahead and finding what appears to be an easy way of things and not getting that same thing myself. It is tough to see others enjoying the “finer things” all while I am doing what I can to get by. Even in my own home, I seem to give and give and give and yet receive very little other than that which is the norm.

But, that is just it. I am not called to receive. I am called to give. To give of myself for others and more/most importantly, to give to the LORD all of me. I am not to be looking for my own life and seemingly getting ahead in the eyes of others. I am to be giving all of myself to the LORD and to others. I am to take up the cross of Christ and carry it for Him. I am to place my own down and follow Him. It is not about me it is about Christ and the spreading of the gospel to all of those around me.

I know that I am here to do the work of Christ. I know that I am made for great things. I also know that it is not supposed to be easy. It is not supposed to get me anything specific in this world. I know that my joy is found in the joy that is the face of God. I work so that others can relax and enjoy. I give to Lori so that she feels the love I have for her. I provided for my boys so they could get on with life. I will gladly wear the same 7 shirts each week. I will gladly drive the 30 year old car. I will gladly give up for myself to ensure that the LORD is glorified. And in return, I will find life everlasting in the presence of the LORD in heaven.

What are you working for? Are you working to find your life? What if you were to forget about your own life and worked to provide for others and the LORD, knowing that you will find your life in the presence of the LORD?

Do Unto Others

“¹²So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12 (ESV)

Most have heard of the golden rule. We are to give what we expect. Well, I believe that we get that backward a lot of the time. We feel as though we should give as is given to us. If someone treats us right, we will treat them right, and if they treat us wrong we do the same. Notice how that is, we are reciprocating the behavior that is given to us.

Now, look at Jesus’ words from His Sermon on the Mount, we do first to others the we would like to be done to. In other words we give first, not with an expectation of return gifts, but with the love that God gives. We just give as we would want others to give to us. In the title to my writing this morning I stop with our actions as it is not about the actions we receive, but the actions that we give.

I think back at my actions as a dad at my boys athletic events. I was very vocal and loud at the officials of those events. I have been “kicked” out of games as a spectator because I was too critical and vocal. As I think back this morning I find myself wondering if I was following the golden rule in my actions and to some degree the answer is yes to the critical piece, but no in my approach. We should be critical or correcting when things are incorrect. Someone’s feelings should not stop us from being truthful, but the critique should be calm and measured and loving as opposed to loud and overtly vocal. I as a trained official myself sought to know when I was incorrect or got it wrong so that I knew for the next time. But I would push back if/when someone would lack caring in the their approach.

So here is the thing for today, do unto others as you expect them to do to you. It is important for us be the giver first and then allow others to do give back. We are to give the truth to others, yet we are to come from a place of love and care with our correction and teaching. We are give that which God has for us to give and allow others of receive it and give back when/where they feel a calling to, however our gift is not contingent on theirs. We give to them first and that gift is in a/the way that we would like to receive.

What is your approach to giving? Are you one that looks to give after you have received and in like manner? What if you were of the approach of giving first and in the way that you would prefer to receive if/when someone feels compelled to give back to you?

Give Sexual Relations to One Another

This morning I continue to study the word “husband” and have been led to the passage titled “Principles for Marriage” in 1 Corinthians. There is a lot here for both husband and wife, the verses of focus this morning are below which relates to sexual relations in the marriage.

“²But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. ³The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. ⁴For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.” – 1 Corinthians 7:2-4 (ESV)

Here we see that it is right and just to have sexual relations with your spouse. We see that this is the way to avoid the temptations that arise of sexual relations outside of the marriage. We see that neither husband nor wife have full single authority over there own bodies. But, the one thing I believe that I miss on the regular is that we are to “give” to one another sexual relations.

I hear regularly, whether in person or in society, that husbands and wives go without or hold out sexual relations with one another. This is not biblical at all. Just reviewing the verses above, husbands and wives are to have sexual relations, and not just for the purpose of procreation. They are to have sexual relations to guard one another against sexual immorality. They also provide pleasure to one another and strengthen their relationship.

I go back to the idea missed on the regular by me to “give” sexual relations to the one another. I am going to focus on my husband’s duty of giving with the understanding that the wife has a similar if not exact duty of giving as well. You see, I promised to give myself to Lori over 29 years ago when we stood at the alter to be joined as husband and wife. My life and body are no longer my own as she has a stake in everything that is me. I have a duty to ensure that Lori is taken care of in all areas, physical, emotional, social, as well as sexual. It is my responsibility to provide for her in all ways. I do not withhold emotional support so why would I withhold sexual support.

It is natural for men and women to have sexual desires as God made us for one another. I have given myself to be with Lori as one and that means that what she needs I should provide. When she needs food, it is my duty to provide food. When she needs a hug, it is my duty to provide a hug. When she needs a roof over her head, it is my duty to provide a roof. And, when she needs sexual relations it is my duty to provide her those sexual relations. Lori should not have to look outside our marriage for anything she needs.

Notice the wording and the process. When something is needed by our wife, we are to provide or “give” to her that which is needed. We are not in the business of taking from her. We are in the business of giving to her. Lori should be giving to me just as I am to give to her, but again, neither of us are to take from one another. Yes, the duty is there, but there is no cause for the forceful taking of anything. All should be freely offered to one another, and that goes for sexual relations just as much as anything else. We are “give” to one another everything including sexual relations.

What is your view of sexual relations in your marriage? Are you out there demanding and taking from your spouse? What if you were to instead “give” yourself to one another through duty to one another?

Sacrifice Your Heart

“¹⁷The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

— Psalm 51:17 (ESV)

What is the sacrifice that the LORD cherishes the most, our heart. The LORD wants our heart before and in lieu of anything else. He wants us to give ourselves fully to Him. That is the hardest to give as it is the cherished thing we have of and for ourselves.

I have a lovely wife of 29 years in April of 2026, and all that time ago I gave her my heart and I love her dearly. But, there is another who had my heart first and in the priority ladder will always come first, the LORD. I could not devote myself to Lori if I had not given y heart to the LORD. He took me, in all my brokenness and renewed me. The LORD cleaned me up and made me presentable to Lori as the one who would devote to her and cherish her.

“¹⁰Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.”

— Psalm 51:10 (ESV)

God has made me right. He has cleaned me up. He has renewed me. All because I have sacrificed my heart to Him to do so.

How do you look at sacrifice? Are you trying to give the LORD physical things? What if you were to give Him your heart to clean, renew and make right?

Give Freely From the Heart

“⁹Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, ‘The seventh year, the year of release is near,’ and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the Lord against you, and you be guilty of sin. ¹⁰You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.” – Deuteronomy 15:9-10 (ESV)

This passage is from that titled in my ESV Bible as “The Sabbatical Year”. The instruction in the full passage is to give freely to your brothers and neighbors. Whether lending or full on gifting, you are to be sure to provide for the needs of your poor brothers and sisters. In this Sabbatical year, there is a moratorium in the collection of the lent resources. That can be fully forgiven or simply paused for the year. But no matter where you are in relation to the Sabbatical year, you are to continue to give freely to your poor brothers and sisters.

The part of the verse that I was led to this morning is that of giving freely from the heart. We are to want to support our neighbors and brothers. We are to almost go out of our way to provide for their needs, and do so from a deep sense of love and compassion without concern for payback. We are to be heartfelt in providing and not do so with any animosity in our heart.

I admit to being cynical and have a hard time with supporting others that have opportunity to support themselves. I have seen too often, those who take advantage of the generosity of others and wonder if there really is need based on the actions of those receiving. But, I have to remember the second part of verse 10 above, “because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.”

You see, it is not about what my brother, sister, and neighbor has going on in their heart, when the need is identified, it is my role to work to fill that need. Yes, their may be ill intent on the part of the receiver, and they will be dealt with by the LORD just as I will be dealt with based on my actions to provide. There should be no grudgingly giving. I have to give freely from the heart to meet the needs of my brother, sister, and neighbor. In that I will find my reward in heaven.

What is your view of giving? Are you reluctant based on the actions of those who you provide? What if you were to give freely from the heart and allow God to provide judgment?

Give From the Heart

There are a lot of campaigns out there to be involved in. There are charities, climate organizations, political races, churches, and any number of other places to give. All of them may be worthy in their own right and the mind of those who are running them. But that does not meant that they are all for our contribution. Whatever we are giving should not be an impulse and should be given from the heart.

“¹The LORD said to Moses, ’²Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.’” – Exodus 25:1-2 (ESV)

Here we see the LORD’s instruction to build a sanctuary for Him to dwell. Where the sanctuary was for the LORD and from the people, God did not demand a certain value from each person. The LORD was looking for donations/contribution to be voluntary and from the heart, “From every man whose heart moves him”.

In society today, I feel as though there is somewhat of a guilt trip laid on the people to give to any and all campaigns out there. There is always a sad story followed by an open hand or bucket being passed.

For me, I can say that I have passed those buckets right by. I walk right by the bake sales at the department storefronts. I put my hand up to indicate to stay back at the popcorn sale. I make it a point to not get drawn into every campaign that crosses near me. Not because they are not in “need” of help, but because my heart is not in it at that time.

God asks the people to consider in their heart whether or not to give to the sanctuary building fund. My church is currently in a building fund raising time. And I have committed to giving beyond my normal offering in support of that building, but not without careful and prayerful consideration and fully from my heart.

“³And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, ⁴so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, ⁵and said to Moses, ‘The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.’” – Exodus 36:3-5 (ESV)

When we give from the heart, God will receive more than enough. The people gave freely to the building of the sanctuary and their gifts were more than enough. So much so that in the next two verses (Ex. 36:6-7) Moses tells the people to stop contributing.

Generosity is important, but where that giving comes from is of more importance. How many times have we seen giving publicized to the point that we celebrate those who gave the most. It still goes on today. But it should not be about the publicity and should be about the campaign. Giving should come from the heart and those contributions should be to the campaigns that touch your heart. There are plenty of campaigns out there and I am sure that one or more will touch your heart. If they do, consider contribution, but if they do not touch your heart, it is okay to walk away.

What is your thought on giving to campaigns? Are you giving out of a sense of guilt and giving to any and all that you come in contact? What if you were to contribute to those that touch your heart and know that when you and everyone else does, there will be more than enough to meet the need?

Who Leads You, God or King

I know, that seems like a question that may get some conflicting thoughts. And I will say that at first consideration, it does to me as well. This morning in my reading and study, I was asked to consider that very question and dug into them.

The Israelites wanted a king and the LORD granted their want. But as with most things, wants and needs are two very different things. The Israelites saw that grand size and wealth and pageantry of the other nations and wanted that very thing for themselves without considering the cost.

In 1 Samuel 8:10-22 Samuel laid out the cost to them. A king will take sons to be in the army, take daughters to serve him, take the best of fields for his pleasure, take your servants to serve as his, take the best of the flocks for his. Everything that was had by the Israelites was not theirs any longer, as ll belonged to the world and the king who reigned over it. Even after learning of all that a king will take, the people were still blinded by their want, and so the LORD gave it to them. The results were as to be expected, just what Samuel had laid out to them.

Contrast that with having our God. He is our king. He does not take, we give. Everything that we have, just as with a king, belongs to Him. The difference is that we continue to work it and have it for us. Our sons, stay with us until their time to have their own families. And the same for our daughters. That which comes from our fields is still for us to work and experience the bounty. Our servants, would remain in our household. Our flocks are for us to work and experience. All that we have is ours and the bounty that comes from it we attribute to the LORD and give freely back to Him.

Our kingdom should be ruled by God. He is the example of the true king in our lives. He provides for us as He only wants the best for us. No, we may not be rich with things of the world. We may not have millions of acres and/or millions of dollars. We will however have what we need to be content and enjoy our time together, and more importantly, our time with Him. By giving ourselves to God as our king, all will be provided for us.

“³³But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

Who is leading your life? Are you beholden to a king and all that he takes from you? What if you were to worship God as your king and know that He provides all that we need?

All Will Receive the Spirit

“³²And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.” – Joel 3:32 (ESV)

So, “everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved”. It is not everyone period. Salvation is for those who recognize themselves as sinners and repent and ask to be saved from the consequence of that sin, which is death as a result of the wrath of God. Just wanted to get that out there before referencing the receipt of the Spirit. All is those who have placed their faith in the LORD that He is who He says He is and does what He says He will do.

Now that we have the who all is, lets see what we receive.

“²⁸And it shall come to pass afterward,

that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

your old men shall dream dreams,

and your young men shall see visions.

²⁹Even on the male and female servants

in those days I will pour out my Spirit.”

— Joel 3:28-29 (ESV)

We receive the ability to prophesy, dream, and see visions. We will not only have received salvation, but we receive the Spirit to guide us and help us to declare to others that which the LORD has laid upon us. The Spirit is the helper that is sent by God at the request of Jesus to be there with us always as we take the gospel to the world.

“¹⁸And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,” — Ephesians 5:18-19 (ESV)

And how do we prophecy, dream, and see visions, but through psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing, and melody “with you heart”. We are “filled with the Spirit” and therefore all should come from within and from the whole of us, not superficially from the outside.

“²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

And just what is the fruit of the Spirit that we are to give out from our heart but “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”. These we have received as the Spirit has been poured out on us and now we are to give to others as has been given to us. We have received and now is out time to give. All of us who have been saved have received the Spirit and all shall pay it forward so more have the chance to receive.

What is your thoughts on the receipt of the Spirit? Do all receive and have a responsibility with what is received? What if you recognized that the Spirit is poured out on those who accept Jesus as Savior and then have the responsibility to give as they have received?

All that Wealth Will NOT Remain

We have been conditioned by society to build wealth so that we can have an easier time of things in this world. We have been told and shown that the life of great things will make us happy and that we are making things better for ourselves. Well, it does not remain.

“¹²Man in his pomp will not remain;

he is like the beasts that perish.”

— Psalm 49:12 (ESV)

You see, all that is gathered in this world is only for this world. We cannot/do not get to take it with us to the next. It is something that is useful in this world alone and only those who do not have will see and want what they have. Yet they are blinded by their “riches” and do not see the fault in it all.

Now, I am not saying that wealth is always getting in the way of righteousness and cannot be used for God’s good work. Just the opposite. God provides for His people to do the work He has for them. Using wealth to do His work is certainly in the cards for some. I am not one of them, but I do know that the LORD has and will continue to use those with wealth for the advancement of the gospel, and that is not always in the form of provided monetary gifts to others.

Think of those who provide financial backing for those who are spreading the gospel. Those spreading are not building homes and schools and churches, they were given the opportunity to preach and teach through the generosity of another. We tend to see things in this world from a tangible perspective and miss opportunities to simply provide the way for someone. Like those who provide scholarships for youths to attend Christian summer camp. Monetary wealth can and should be used for His good works.

When kept with the self, the riches of this world are of no use. Yes, they may provide some momentary relief from a difficult situation or in some cases provide a lavish lifestyle. But, it will not remain with you once you leave this world and does not improve your station in the next. Where real wealth is found and is beneficial in your life is in the use of that financial wealth to support others in their ability to have their spiritual needs met.

What is your thoughts on financial well being? Are you one to seek it out for your own lavish lifestyle? What if you realized it cannot be taken with you and instead you use it for the advancement of the gospel?