Recently I have been thinking about what it means to give and why it's important to be a silent giver.
How many times do we do something for someone without needing acknowledgement, or a pat on the back?
I was reminded of this very clearly this holiday season. My 9 year old son had bought me some wonderful cozy slipper for Christmas. I love them, (in fact I'm wearing them now while I type). He was beaming at the acknowledgement of how much I loved his gift. Now, for the next three to four weeks every time I wore these slippers he would comment, something like this. . . "You sure like the slippers I picked out." "Glad I got you those slippers, huh?" "Aren't you so happy I got you those slippers?" You get the point. I would respond that yes they were a great gift. But as this continued I noticed his sentences had a lot of "I" in them. The slippers "I" got you. What "I" picked out. It was concerning to me, and I realized we needed to have a little talk. I asked him why he always brought them up, why he was always asking if I liked them. We talked about how small things can turn into pride, and how we don't need to remind others of the nice things we do. Now some people may think I overreacted, but we live in a society that constantly needs to be praised. People recording themselves doing great things. So many "kind deeds" reported, yet not by the recipient, but the giver. Now don't get me wrong, kindness is kindness, and I'm all for it. What concerns me is how we seem to need peoples approval. I believe it is an unspoken addiction. Needing attention. We want to hear how "nice" we were, so giving.
Now the question we need to ask ourselves is, can we give without attention? Will we give if there is no one to notice?
You see, we all give from time to time. But are we giving so the glory can go to God, or ourselves. Do we look at what was done and think wow, I am so nice, or do we think the Lord that gave us the ability to give. Whether with our time, talents, or money. We need to remember that God created and provided all these things.
1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV ". . . . Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Another wonderful thing is it is never too late. If we see that maybe we do require a little more petting than we should, let us pray for a renewed sense of confidence in Christ Jesus, and look to him for our confidence and not man.
Some questions to ponder. . . . Am I doing acts of service to get attention? Am I trying to be liked? Do I think my kindness needs recognition? Do I think these things will make me look, or seem more "Christianly"?
As the flawed human I am, I have had to reevaluate priorities from time to time, as well as why I do things I do. Let me tell you, it is quite freeing when you give it all to God. The choices, acts, and recognition. Let this not stop you in your quest, but bring more glory to our Savior.
As always dear friends, much love and many prayers I send you, as we follow our calling from Christ whatever that may be.
Devonne Ramer
How many times do we do something for someone without needing acknowledgement, or a pat on the back?
I was reminded of this very clearly this holiday season. My 9 year old son had bought me some wonderful cozy slipper for Christmas. I love them, (in fact I'm wearing them now while I type). He was beaming at the acknowledgement of how much I loved his gift. Now, for the next three to four weeks every time I wore these slippers he would comment, something like this. . . "You sure like the slippers I picked out." "Glad I got you those slippers, huh?" "Aren't you so happy I got you those slippers?" You get the point. I would respond that yes they were a great gift. But as this continued I noticed his sentences had a lot of "I" in them. The slippers "I" got you. What "I" picked out. It was concerning to me, and I realized we needed to have a little talk. I asked him why he always brought them up, why he was always asking if I liked them. We talked about how small things can turn into pride, and how we don't need to remind others of the nice things we do. Now some people may think I overreacted, but we live in a society that constantly needs to be praised. People recording themselves doing great things. So many "kind deeds" reported, yet not by the recipient, but the giver. Now don't get me wrong, kindness is kindness, and I'm all for it. What concerns me is how we seem to need peoples approval. I believe it is an unspoken addiction. Needing attention. We want to hear how "nice" we were, so giving.
Now the question we need to ask ourselves is, can we give without attention? Will we give if there is no one to notice?
You see, we all give from time to time. But are we giving so the glory can go to God, or ourselves. Do we look at what was done and think wow, I am so nice, or do we think the Lord that gave us the ability to give. Whether with our time, talents, or money. We need to remember that God created and provided all these things.
1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV ". . . . Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Another wonderful thing is it is never too late. If we see that maybe we do require a little more petting than we should, let us pray for a renewed sense of confidence in Christ Jesus, and look to him for our confidence and not man.
Some questions to ponder. . . . Am I doing acts of service to get attention? Am I trying to be liked? Do I think my kindness needs recognition? Do I think these things will make me look, or seem more "Christianly"?
As the flawed human I am, I have had to reevaluate priorities from time to time, as well as why I do things I do. Let me tell you, it is quite freeing when you give it all to God. The choices, acts, and recognition. Let this not stop you in your quest, but bring more glory to our Savior.
As always dear friends, much love and many prayers I send you, as we follow our calling from Christ whatever that may be.
Devonne Ramer
