Reflecting on Giving and Receiving
What Comes First: Giving or Receiving?
Take a moment to think about it: What comes first—giving or receiving?
The answer might surprise you— It’s actually receiving that comes first.
While there may be cases where someone might lose something to give, based on logic, experience, and reality, every human being:
- Receives first
- Gives
- Receives again
Example:
We start as children, completely unaware of anything.
We first receive:
- Love
- Care
- Guidance
Later, we’re taught to give and share, and then we receive even more in return.
The Emotional Power of Giving
Humans are emotional beings—some more than others.
Emotions and feelings are the fuel that drives our soul and body.
When you give (whether through action or gesture) with a genuine heart—even if it feels uncomfortable or painful—you’re doing something amazing.
That act of giving is love.
What Is a Gift?
A gift is:
A present.
Something given by
grace,
not because it is deserved.
Example: Abraham’s Sacrifice
In Genesis 22, Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice his only son as an offering.
At first glance, this seems selfish or cruel. But in reality, God was:
Testing Abraham
to reveal where his heart truly lay—whether in God or in his son.
Abraham was ready to obey, but God intervened and spared his son, honoring His promise to bless Abraham with descendants.
What Does This Teach Us?
God seeks our hearts.
Over time, our hearts can become corrupted. God desires hearts that are:
- Pure
- Clean
- Holy
The Unseen Meaning of Giving
Think about receiving a gift from a loved one—or even a stranger.
You always feel something.
Whether the feeling is good or bad, emotions are stirred.
The value of the gift isn’t in the object itself but in the unseen elements:
- The emotion
- The action
- The intention behind it
A Lack of Genuine Role Models
It’s rare to find people who consistently give genuinely.
But there is one perfect example: God.
You have:
- A job
- A car
- Money
- Food
- Family
All these things are given by grace—not because you asked for them or earned them.
A Personal Example:
This very paper you’re reading was given to you without any request.
It was given out of love, grace, and mercy.
The words I write here come from my heart, motivated by God working within me.
My actions, thoughts, writing, and behavior are meant to reflect Him.
I may fail, but He never will.
A Guiding Verse
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” — Colossians 3:23
This Is a Piece of My Heart.
Where is yours?