I once bought a ten dollar gift certificate to the local coffee shop for a friend of mine. Since he and I had coffee every morning at that coffee shop, it seemed like the perfect gift. I was surprised when he opened up the card and said, "I told you never to spend your money on me!"
Receiving a gift from someone can often be awkward and uncomfortable, that's true for most of us. Two thoughts usually pop into our mind; I don't deserve this gift, and, what is expected of me in return? We just can't seem to wrap our minds around the idea of someone wanting to give us something, and needing nothing from us.
I was sick, and in bed when my phone rang, and my friend from the coffee shop was outside my front door with a bag of groceries. I felt awkward. I was sick, but I wasn't unable to provide for my family. I remembered the gift certificate, and how I had felt about his reaction. I swallowed my pride, took the bag, and thanked him for blessing my family and I.
Receiving is an action verb, something we must do. Often we are so busy doing things for the Kingdom, that we forget to be still and soak in what God has to offer us. We learn an important lesson in the Gospel of John;

'He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." -John 13:6-8

Peter felt the awkwardness of receiving something that he didn't deserve. Can we imagine ourselves in Peter's position? Would you react the same way if the Son of God wanted to kneel down and wash your feet? Peter needed to be reminded that he was not only serving the Lord, but that the Lord was also serving him.
As followers of Jesus, we need to come to a realization that we serve a God who wants to serve us. We can't earn our salvation, it's a gift; freely given to us when we ask for it, and then receive it. Many hear the Gospel, but only those who receive it find salvation.

' And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.'-Mark 4:20

So if by faith in God's promises we receive our salvation, we can apply this principle to other needs in our lives, knowing that God wants to serve those who serve him.

'And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.'-Philippians 4:19

We often feel like we don't deserve the blessings that God wants to pour out in our lives, and the truth is, we don't deserve them.
We need to put ourselves in a position to receive his provision, by recognizing that he wants to serve us, and having faith that he will do what he promises.

'But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.' -Hebrews 11:6

'Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.'-Mark 11:24

We serve a God who wants to do great things in our lives. We bring glory and honor to him by trusting him to serve us in the impossible situations we face. Faith is the action required to receive what God has planned for you in your life. I pray you will be encouraged, and through faith in him, will put yourself in the position to receive his blessings in your situation.

"'"The Lord bless you
and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace."' -Numbers 6:24-26

Shalom, Tony

Tony, thank you for a very relevant post that we all need to learn. I have opened it to be posted because it will help many. Sometimes our pride gets in the way of receiving a blessing from others. We get so accustomed to doing things independently of others that we won't allow another person to be blessed by blessing us.

Very nice, and true; thank you and many blessings in Jesus

In this modern day society (and probably was seen throughout antiquity) it seems there is a type of fear that is attached to accepting gifts. There can be the pride thing, but also the fear of "where's the catch".
The way the secular world works is I give to you, and then you owe me down the line. This is the thing that is also seen within most Christian circles as well no matter how much they will try and deny it.

It seems it is a rarity that people will give for the simple reason of wanting to. Not counting the cost, nor counting it as a store of payback for later. It is even rarer that a person can receive from another and not
come under obligation toward that person bowing down to them in subjection or compromise no matter the gift given.

Because of these dynamics, there are hurdles for most in accepting the free gift of salvation, and gifts from others who are giving with a pure heart.

In this modern day society (and probably was seen throughout antiquity) it seems there is a type of fear that is attached to accepting gifts. There can be the pride thing, but also the fear of "where's the catch".
The way the secular world works is I give to you, and then you owe me down the line. This is the thing that is also seen within most Christian circles as well no matter how much they will try and deny it.

It seems it is a rarity that people will give for the simple reason of wanting to. Not counting the cost, nor counting it as a store of payback for later. It is even rarer that a person can receive from another and not
come under obligation toward that person bowing down to them in subjection or compromise no matter the gift given.

Because of these dynamics, there are hurdles for most in accepting the free gift of salvation, and gifts from others who are giving with a pure heart.
So true, thanks for your insight, Michelle!

In this modern day society (and probably was seen throughout antiquity) it seems there is a type of fear that is attached to accepting gifts. There can be the pride thing, but also the fear of "where's the catch".
The way the secular world works is I give to you, and then you owe me down the line. This is the thing that is also seen within most Christian circles as well no matter how much they will try and deny it.

It seems it is a rarity that people will give for the simple reason of wanting to. Not counting the cost, nor counting it as a store of payback for later. It is even rarer that a person can receive from another and not
come under obligation toward that person bowing down to them in subjection or compromise no matter the gift given.

Because of these dynamics, there are hurdles for most in accepting the free gift of salvation, and gifts from others who are giving with a pure heart.

That's why Jesus said.

Matthew 6
6 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

Send your gift in secret. Do your best not to let them know who sent it. And if you give a message with the gift tell them that the gift is being given because Jesus moved you to give it.


All Praise The Ancient of Days

That's why Jesus said.

Matthew 6
6 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

Send your gift in secret. Do your best not to let them know who sent it. And if you give a message with the gift tell them that the gift is being given because Jesus moved you to give it.


All Praise The Ancient of Days

But there are times that the gift cannot be given in secret. Say you are instructed of the Lord to send a monetary gift to a specific person in another country. Their address etc. has to be obtained. Paul from the NT received gifts from churches around and he knew where the blessing came from, but he still corrected them when they needed it. He never felt beholden to anyone but the Lord.

If the gift can be given in secret that is the best way though. Avoids a lot of messy things.

But there are times that the gift cannot be given in secret. Say you are instructed of the Lord to send a monetary gift to a specific person in another country. Their address etc. has to be obtained. Paul from the NT received gifts from churches around and he knew where the blessing came from, but he still corrected them when they needed it. He never felt beholden to anyone but the Lord.

If the gift can be given in secret that is the best way though. Avoids a lot of messy things.

Well if one cannot do it in secret then it must be done in the open. As long as one is following as best one can the leading of the Holy Spirit on the matter.

Another thing people who receive charity in public glare can fee humiliated as if receiving help is a public announcement that they are failures. Often these people will greatly appreciate receiving much needed assistance when it comes secretly so that no one knows they have received it. So when a much needed gift comes and the only person it is associated with is Jesus, Guess who will be the main focus of their appreciation. :hug


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

We bring glory and honor to him by trusting him to serve us in the impossible situations we face.

'Receiving from God' is a profound word. I have been sitting here reflecting on this message... most of us don`t consider ourselves as relating to Peter in any way...we do let the Lord wash us, from head to toe. But do we also let Him wash our lives? Do we worry and agonize and lose sleep and do everything within our power to keep our lives 'clean' from worry...or do we trust Him?

Do our 'windows' need washed so we can see the Light ?

Mat 6:22 Your eyes are like a window for your body. When they are good, you have all the light you need.
Mat 6:23 But when your eyes are bad, everything is dark. If the light inside you is dark, you surely are in the dark.
Mat 6:24 You cannot be the slave of two masters! You will like one more than the other or be more loyal to one than the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Mat 6:25 I tell you not to worry about your life.

Mat 6:32 Only people who don't know God are always worrying ...Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these.

Blessings