sacred strokes

We’ve all heard the concept or expression of “give and take.” When we pour ourselves into something, we are more likely to yield a successful outcome. Another way to think of it is that the more we put into a project, task, or relationship, the more we may get back. It’s also commonly used as a way to describe compromise. I understand those ideas, but I was thinking about this widely used expression more literally today. As if it was saying that we are first to give and then to take. Give before take. That seems reasonable, polite, nice, even idealistic. But it’s also impossible. We cannot give before taking. Or, said in a bit less pejorative way, before receiving.

There is nothing we can give that we weren’t already given. That we were already blessed with. The Lord has bestowed so many good things in our lives that we can easily begin to overlook them, or at least come to think that it’s all our own doing. We can become full out prideful. Deuteronomy 8:17-18a says, “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth…” James 1:17 affirms that “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” We literally cannot give anything which we have not already received.

Having this perspective and mindset creates a more true and freeing sense of generosity and service. If we think in terms of “give and take,” we can be tempted to give with the consideration that perhaps it will one day come back around to us and we will be “repaid.” But with the mindset of “take and give,” we acknowledge that we have already received, or taken, the blessings, already experienced the Lord’s provision, and so our natural response is to give. With no expectation at all. You see, giving isn’t the prompt for goodness to come our way; it’s the response!

Acts 13:15 reminds us that God “is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything. Rather He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” Even down to the breath we are taking this very moment, the Lord is constantly giving us countless blessings. (Some we may never fully be aware of.) And, you know what, it will be a blessing when He welcomes us home, too.

There is much hardship in this world, all as a result of sin. I admire Job when he admonishes his despairing, disheartened wife by responding, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” Satan and our own sinful nature have caused the world’s brokenness, pain, heartache and suffering. Yet despite our wayward tendencies, God gives us so much to be thankful for. To appreciate and share with others. To receive with grateful hearts and give onward, as well. To remind us that He is here and that He loves us beyond measure.

Something I have heard and observed to be true is that we cannot out-give God. It’s truly impossible from the start. He has given us life, all we value and hold dear, even Himself.

God can give and take. We can only take and give. Don’t stop at the taking. As Hebrews 13:16 says, “Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need.” Give to others as a response to all you have been given. Be it good health, a stable job, a brilliant intellect, material wealth, or anything else, receive with thanksgiving and continually give Him praise. Take and give. It’s the best we can do.

Luke 3:11, HLC