To Give or Not to Give? That is the question.

I had a hit of a funny scenario run through my head this morning.

It was the end of a church service, after there had been a give away of some chocolates, meant for the children. When all the children had received their gift, there was still some chocolates left over. These were then being given to the few random lucky people.

I was fortunate enough to be standing in front of one such person, giving away the chocolates. (No, I hadn’t rugby tackled everyone out of the way to reach this position. 🙂 )

I could see on the face of the chocolate giver that they were trying to decide whether to hand me some chocolate, or not?

My thoughts then went to, “I am a member of this church, I do give to this church, as such I have no problem receiving a gift of a bit of chocolate as I have effectively already paid for it, in effect.”

That’s were the scene ended. I told you it was a bit of a funny scenario. 🙂

It has left me thinking that my thoughts were true and valid, but also irrelevant for the question of whether to give or not to give?

I didn’t actually have a need for the chocolate.
Yes I like chocolate and it would be nice to receive some, but I still didn’t need it. Could there have been someone else who could have appreciated it more than me, who actually might have had a need for it?
Could this have been the question going through the chocolate givers mind instead of, are you worthy enough to receive the chocolate?
Could the chocolate givers thoughts have been, “Who do You want me to give this chocolate to Lord?”

When we do give, then what is our motivation for doing so?
Do we only give to those who are worthy to receive a gift?
Just to those who are family and friends?
To those who have fallen onto hard times but are of good character?
Or do we give, just simply to bless someone who we are led to bless, and thus, then please Our Loving Heavenly Father?

Matthew 6:19-21
¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.