Get

Each day our world becomes more and more about getting. Even our Christianese is laced with words like obtain and receive. We do see the occasional act of kindness that amazes people but too often these acts are just giving in order to get something in return. Can’t (shouldn’t or will) we give to give?

Give and Get, Not Give to Get

There’s so much encouragement to be given, the need may be greater than ever before. Chances are good; you could use a little yourself. How about looking for the opportunity to lift someone up today? I’ll bet you find yourself uplifted as well.

This encouraged me this morning, again from E. Stanley Jones:

“If you look within you’ll be discouraged, if you look around you’ll be distracted, if you look back you’ll be paralyzed; But if you look at Jesus you’ll have peace.”

Good Read Too

And still more from “Love Does” by Bob Goff:

“I used to think being loved was the greatest thing to think about, but now I know love is never satisfied just thinking about it.”

Love doesn’t work when we’re out to get it. It’s when we give it that we are fulfilled and in God’s upside down way of doing things, giving love sends it back to us.

Gift

The root of the word gift is give, not get.

Indication

Shouldn’t the lives we lead be an indication of what we believe to those around us? The world says, “Determine what you want and go get it.” Scripture says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” What do others see when they look at our lives? Jesus said, “these people draw near to me with their mouths and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” I don’t want to be “these people”.

Love can’t…

Be obtained or won, the only way to get love is to give it, though that can’t be our motivation.