ways of giving

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

That was Jesus speaking to his disciples, when he was telling them about the Holy Spirit. I read this last night, and I started wondering -- how does the world give? And how is it different to how Jesus loves us?

How the World Gives:
-- Expecting something in return
-- To look good
-- Hesitantly

How Jesus Gives:
-- Freely
-- Lovingly
-- When we ask

You know that verse, "Ask and you will receive, knock and the door will be opened"?

Jesus will give us the desire's of our heart -- if they're godly. One of my favourite verses that Paul so kindly shared all those years ago, from Philippians 4:8 demonstrates what I think are a pretty good example of godly desires. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."


And back to the whole giving thing. How do you give? I know I hardly give like Jesus does. No matter what, there's always something in me wondering how I could get something out of this, wondering what's in it for me. We want to look good -- and we often hesitate when we're faced with an opportunity to give, don't we? 


I don't want to be like that. I don't want to give like this world -- which isn't really giving at all, is it? I remember a verse, which is actually a paradox (Yeah, something we learned about this semester. I still couldn't explain the meaning to you, which makes sense as to why I kinda failed the topic!) and it goes like this.


"It is more blessed to give than to receive."


Simple as that. 


It's time to love like Jesus loves. Stop wondering what's in it for me and love just because I can.