Christians often talk about serving others and helping people in need. But being willing to receive help can sometimes be harder.
Some of us are comfortable being the person who gives, but uncomfortable admitting when we need someone else.
Which comes more naturally to you: giving help or receiving it? Why do you think receiving can sometimes be so difficult?
More receiving as I do the best to not ask for that much by any and all means. As giving has been like a gift God has given me. Really I am on this earth by Him to give than receive. Just receiving I feel I don’t deserve it. But God is saying otherwise.
Perhaps it is because I have been doing it for a while; it comes naturally to me. I find it far better to give than to receive. As a matter of fact, I am in the middle of a sermon series, Good Service, Good Health.
"I want you to think about it. Like most things, it is not as simple as you might think. We are blessed when we bless. We are given when we give out. We are healed when we help the sick. We are filled with grace when we show grace. We will be discussing this topic in detail.
1- Is it Biblical? Is service to others linked to a physical aspect?
2- Serving others for Spiritual health.
3- Serving others for mental health.
4- What does “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Really mean?
First, it absolutely is Biblical. In fact, Scripture is packed with the idea that generosity and service aren’t just moral duties. They are deeply tied to our own physical, mental, and spiritual vitality.
The Bible frames helping others not as a zero-sum game where you lose something by giving it away, but as a reciprocal cycle. Here is a breakdown of the key Biblical backing for how helping others impacts our well-being."
Just a little snippet. I do not want to be accused of self-promotion, so if you want the link, you can PM me and I will share. Just be assured it is very Biblical.
Be blessed, be a blessing; it is good for your health.
Peter
Giving is definitely more prominent in the church. It also seems to be that those who give, give all the time and those who receive, receive all the time. It’s either one or the other.
My belief is that it’s important to be comfortable with both. All of us will find ourselves in the place of need at some point and what is it that keeps us from receiving if it isn’t pride?
There’s a joy in giving to someone in need. To say no to that gift or to reluctantly agree, steals some of that joy. A giver needs someone to receive and a receiver needs someone to give.
The apostle Paul was great at both. The churches supported his ministry and he gave of himself. He also orchestrated the sharing of goods among the churches keeping them connected and keeping them in unity.
Like most Christians I am better at giving.
I was offered a ride home once and I knew the favor would take them in the opposite direction of where they lived. It would add around an hour to their travel time. So I politely refused and they answered me with, “You are depriving me of a blessing.”
I think it’s definitely easier for me to give help than to receive it. I like to be as self-sufficient as possible which is easy for me to take too far. As a mom especially I’m trying to be more vulnerable and open to receiving help when I need it. I know that’s the way to build genuine relationships.
I needed this topic. I drive my wife nutty, due to my reluctance to ask for help. But we’re both ready and gratified to jump right in with help when asked.
I need to remember my relationships with my neighbors are, give and take. As I believe they should be.
Me TOO! But I’m working on it. Maybe.
Peter
An illustration I forget is in something attributed to Theresa of Lisieux while a Carmilite
She would purposely refrain from sweeping, knowing her fellow religious also wished to serve.