Don’t you get sick and tired of folk giving you something, then telling the whole world that they gave that to you? If you really gave that from your heart, and for the right reason, you will have the receiver on your mind, not yourself.
Scripture reminds us that as we help others, we are not to give in order to get attention for having given that gift. Matthew 6:4 says, “so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”
As the giver, Scripture also says “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” However, be reminded of how our Father says what is done in secret, He will reward you.
As we look around and see miracles still happing all around us, don’t wonder how it happens, just know that God is still sitting on the throne. He sees, He hears and He knows. When any of us make little snide remarks, or we sin, just ask forgiveness, and there is something greater than ourselves out there. No matter what your faith or religion is, whether it is Baptist or Brahma Kamari, Jew or Gentile, Catholic or Protestant, we worship God, Jehovah, and names I don’t even know. However, just know that in this giving season, buy gifts for loved ones, but remember to help the needy.
Let’s take a look at some more Scriptures that remind us to help others. It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. Proverbs 14:21 says, “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Proverbs 14:31 says, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Proverbs 19:17 says, “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9: “Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.”
This holiday season, take these Scriptures into consideration. Give and it shall be given unto you. And give secretly without worrying about the credit — God saw you. It may be years from now when that blessing comes along for the good that you’ve done, but the Bible does not lie, God doesn’t lie! You do a good deed from the bottom of your heart, and you will indeed reap what you have sown.
It was at least 40 years ago when I learned that lesson. While working for the federal government, we had a holiday gift exchange. The gift I bought was very nice and quite expensive, but afterwards, I kept talking about it, telling everybody who would listen that I bought that expensive gift. It still resonates with me today.
I was very young, and though I grew up with preachers as parents, giving was not a lesson that I had learned correctly. It was wrong of me to talk about that gift, but I didn’t know any better. If you didn’t know, either, let this column be your guide.
Just live your life by a song that I love so much. It says, “If I can help somebody as I travel along, then my living shall not be in vain.” Enjoy this Christmas season that is upon us. Give, but be quiet, and keep your money if you’ve got to tell the world that you gave that gift to someone in need.
Lyndia Grant is a speaker/writer living in the D.C. area. Her radio show, “Think on These Things,” airs Fridays at 6 p.m. on 1340 AM (WYCB), a Radio One station. To reach Grant, visit her website, www.lyndiagrantshow.com, email lyndiagrant@gmail.com or call 202-518-3192. Follow her on Twitter @LyndiaGrant and on Facebook.