Unconditional giving

Luke 14 : 12 - 14

...you will be repaid at the resurrection......

I am glad for this reminder and caution about doing things for the sake of repayment. I'm sure I do some things with that motive lurking somewhere behind. Sometimes, it may not even be conscious. But the truth surfaces when I 'grumble' to myself some time later, when I find that I 'expect' to be repaid, and am disappointed if someone lets me down. I probably feel that I 'deserve' a return favour! Of course thankfully this does not happen too much of the time, and it is often not a conscious expectation.

I am slowly learning how this attitude can be greatly lessened by practicing gratitude for the simple gifts of life, and learning to be content whatever the circumstances. After all, it is wonderfully freeing to remember that everything that we have and are is not really our own but rather the generous gift of God. Whatever we give to others in terms of our resources (time, money, etc) should not stir up expectations of return, this side of heaven. I guess we could first and foremost think of such giving as "offerings to God for his beloved creatures".

It may be a helpful discipline to give anonymously (apart from giving to those who cannot 'repay')whenever possible. I have tried to do that before, through a common friend, but somehow, the person kept insisting and in the end my friend told her. And sometimes, it is just not possible, as when we give to certain mission organizations, in the form of a cheque. Of course, it is obvious when we give of our time to serve others. So, in all this, it is important to keep a check on our motivations. I believe it keeps me humble to remember that all I am able to give to others does not originate from myself. It is actually a return to God for his goodness and generosity to me.