Proverbs 21

Bible Passage:  Proverbs 21

We know that God loves a cheerful giver and to give is better than to receive. Yet, in writing this sharing for you I feel like I am holding back. It feels hard to keep giving and giving that I’m not sure what to share with you when I read this chapter. I think I expect to at least get this warm fuzzy good feeling when I give if not more. However I realize that my motive does not follow concept of “giving” in the book of wisdom.

“The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labour.
All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.”
-Proverbs 21:25, 26-

From this proverb we see that the more we desire, the more we will crave for things and we may come to develop a set of underlying expectations. For example you cover for a co-worker because you know you’ll need their help to cover you in the next month. You give $20 to your sister, and then you look for ways she can repay you if not with money. You help your mom out in hope you can gain some sort of recognition or reward.

Having such expectations may cause more grief than gain. It would mar the act of giving, making me feel slightly guilty, leading to disappointment if the person does not return the kindness; and it ties my intentions to a mental score card, which becomes like a roadblock in my relationships.

From this proverb we learn to give and not hold back because this is what God would like us to be. After thinking about it, it gives me food for thought: what do I expect? The answer—(probably a standard textbook answer) to show love…but also I feel good about it when I give. I mean, when I don’t expect anything in return, I feel satisfied somehow. Jesus gave us the gift of salvation and His unconditional love even unto the point of death. We have this example. We can give without holding back.

What’s a list of 5 things you can do to give to others without expectations?