Before you Give, First Receive

Full confession: I’m not good at receiving gifts. Or compliments.  As much as I love giving gifts and compliments, I feel uncomfortable receiving them.  

A few years ago at Christmas Jonathan surprised me with a beautiful piece of jewelry (well at least I think it’s beautiful).  And a year later, I embarrassingly asked if he could return it.  In my opinion, it was too expensive to keep or wear regularly.  But his response changed my perspective on giving…and receiving.

He insisted I kept it.  And wear it.  To him it wasn’t about the amount and the sacrifice behind it (I knew our shared finances and I knew he probably depleted all his “fun” money on this).  But it was about his heart and motivation.  

This gift was more than just a pretty piece of jewelry to him.  He wanted me to know his love for me.  And consequently he finds enjoyment when I wear it.  Because he sees ME enjoying it. 

But I first needed to accept his insistence and invitation.  I needed to hear what he was saying and believe it to be true in order for me to wear it, and not just keep it as a reminder on my jewelry tray. 

So I wear it in humility and love, reflecting on how God wants us to welcome, embrace, and use the good gifts He entrusts to us.  I mean, even the very breath we are taking right now is a gift from God, right?  You are a gift!

1 Corinthians 4:7 asks, “What do you have that you did not receive?”  Well we know the answer is, “NOTHING”.  Absolutely nothing.  Everything we have is from the Lord.  Even the very breath we are taking right now. 

I’m going to stop right here and clarify that I am NOT in anyway suggesting my gift is better than what God gives to us. Only that this thoughtful gift from Jonathan has taught me a bigger lesson in receiving.

Sharon Epps, President of Kingdom Advisors, says it so eloquently this way: “Everything – our breath, skills, love, wisdom, and financial resources – is a gift from God.  We receive, then we give, creating a virtuous cycle of generosity that mirrors God’s own generosity towards us.”

Truthfully, this gift points me to Christ.  And to the story of Joanna, the wife of Chuza who was a manager of Herod’s household.

In Luke 8 we see Joanna intentionally named with Mary (called Magdalene) and Susanna as followers of Jesus who “were helping to support them out of their own means” (8:3).  But it’s first mentioned “The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases” (8:1b-2a).  

Healing From the Inside Out

Jesus first healed her (and other women) in some unknown physical capacity. But ultimately the healing was her heart spiritually.

She then in turn supports Jesus’ ministry.  But it started first with her receiving Truth.  Epps continues “Joanna’s giving wasn’t transaction[al] – it was an expression of extravagant love for Jesus.  She gave freely because she had freely received.”  

I want to be like Joanna.  I want to receive well – first from the Lord who has healed my heart spiritually – but also from others so in return I can give better.

Let me leave you with this reminder from Sharon:  “Joanna’s story reminds us that generosity is not about wealth—it’s about the heart. As we receive from Christ, we are called to pass it on—whether through finances, service, or sharing the gospel.”

So I wear my gift.  And I told Jonathan no more jewelry. This is enough for me, lol!!