“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
– Acts 20:35
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. – 2 Corinthians 9:7
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
– Hebrews 13:2
As many reasons and anxieties as there are to indulge in any of the deadly sins, there are also reasons to give with a glad heart and pray, for they are the same as we are the same in our conduct. We never know when we might be giving directly to an angel. The person covered in filth on the street corner might be, or have with them one of God’s own, as we might harbor one of God’s own in ourselves unaware. Let us neither give compulsively, as though we must play God in this arena, God is the first giver. Here again, my acts may accord with the will of God in discerning what I’ve been given to give, and there’s much more to life than money or possession. For there is strength too in encouragement and healing in acknowledging another’s suffering. God is love, love is complete, and we, our family of humankind, are complete in the likeness of God all of us. Unseen, but coming manifest by manifold wisdom. Bless.
– Shawn Greathouse