Tuesday; May 2

As a youngster I remember hearing people say, “We don’t take charity”. Back in the day, there seemed to be a pride in not only not needing help, but also in not wanting help. While I think there is value in a desire to being self-sufficient, I also believe that this type of mentality can have a negative impact as well. You see, when we are unwilling to accept help, that may also translate into being unwilling to offer help. If we could do it on our own, others should be able to as well. However, if we are willing to allow others to make our lives easier and better, we feel the love and want to pass it on to others. People who are gracious receivers can be some of the most benevolent givers. Yes, I realize the dangers of a sense of entitlement, but that’s not what we are talking about. There is a difference in “expecting” someone to help us and “allowing” someone to help us. When we are taught to receive with gratitude – we will develop into people who look for ways to give with gratitude.

Centuries ago the early Christians were taught, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (II Corinthians 9:7). Interestingly, to be able to fulfill this commandment, we must also have people who are willing to be cheerful recipients! There are times when we need help and times when we feel compelled to give. In a since, that is a part of the circle of life. Remember, accepting the gifts of others doesn’t make us weak or automatically label us as needy, it gives everyone a chance to do what God has called upon us to do.

Think About It!

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday; November 29

The biblical story of the Good Samaritan has changed our world. Notice I didn’t say that it had change religion or even Christianity, it has influenced the world. There are very few people who don’t know the moral of Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan. In fact, the phrase has become a common description of everyday people doing good to their neighbors. While Jesus’ parable from Luke 10 shares several spiritual lessons, one of the most practical is that good can be done by anyone. You don’t have to be a church official to do good, it is not only possible for each one of us to help, it is required of all of us. If a Samaritan can be good, so can we! After presenting the parable, Jesus asked the man who had originally asked the question about being a good neighbor which character in the story was a good neighbor, “… he said, ‘The one who showed mercy toward him.’” at which point, the discussion from theoretical to personal, “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same.’” (Luke
Read more

Thursday; January 12

The other day I was watching a television show that used a rather common term applied to overcoming challenges. When organizations experience unexpected setbacks – especially when they lose key people – they rely upon the concept of “Next Man Up”. In essence, when our starters (or stars) go down, effective organizations rely upon their next levels to step into the vacancy. While this is an effective response, have we given much thought as to how we prepare to be the “next people up”? First, we must know our job. Even when we aren’t the primary players, we need to be preparing ourselves to be ready when we get the opportunity to shine. Second, we must do our best when we get the chance. Knowledge is important but what turns potential into talent is effort. Yet, maybe the most underappreciated aspect of this concept is a willingness avoid excuse-making and whining about the unfairness of our situation. When we complain about the circumstances that caused the need for replacements
Read more

Monday; September 25

When I was a youngster, I remember hearing about this thing called the Generation Gap. I was a little bit too young to be active in the social movements of the 1960s, but I do remember listening to the challenges the generations were experiencing way back then. Interestingly, now that I have been on both sides of the aging process, I have to admit that the Gap of the 1960s was nothing new. With the development of each generation comes conflict. The young people don’t feel like the older people understand them and the older folks tend to believe their input is being underappreciated. Too often trust is the casualty when two generations collide. The sad thing is that it doesn’t have to be this way. When we can capture the innovation and energy of the younger folks and harness the wisdom of those who have been around for a while we can develop a winning combination. No, we won’t always see things eye-to-eye nor will we necessarily speak the same emotional language, but when we app
Read more