“Don’t eat with people who are stingy; don’t desire their delicacies. They are always thinking about how much it costs. ‘Eat and drink,’ they say, but they don’t mean it. You will throw up what little you’ve eaten, and your compliments will be wasted.” 23:6-8

I don’t hesitate to receive help from people, and I’m not uncomfortable being a guest in someone’s luxurious home. But it’s greatly uncomfortable to receive someone’s false generosity and know you’re going to pay for it later.

Like the person who always jumps up to help, but then complains about all the work they had to do later. The relative who remembers (and resents) whether or not you sent a thank you card. Or the host who insists on this or that, but holds it over your head, their pride silently punishing you.

Grace, expensive wine, generosity, rich food or any other kind of resource should be given freely. No strings attached. No unspoken debt. The Lord lavishes us with gifts, with no other motive other than his love for us. He extends perfect and true kindness to us.

How do you give gifts? 

-Carly