Top o’ the Mornin’ to Ya!
TLDR: In this heartfelt message, I share my personal journey with giving and receiving gifts, especially money. I explore how refusing gifts blocks God’s love, discuss the spiritual significance of receiving graciously, and explain how worthiness issues from my past affected my ability to accept gifts. Christian men who struggle with receiving help and love will find practical guidance on embracing both giving and receiving as spiritual acts.
What?
I’ve often encountered situations where I tried to give someone money – perhaps as help, a donation, or a gift – and they refused it saying, “Oh no, I can’t accept that.” I’ve also been that person, declining gifts because I didn’t feel worthy of receiving them. I share a YouTube video I watched showing a homeless man who received $100 and immediately went to purchase food for a woman and her children in need, demonstrating incredible generosity from someone with so little. This reminds me of Jesus highlighting the widow who gave two pennies as giving more than anyone else despite the small amount.
Why?
I’m sharing these stories because I’ve realized that giving is a love language – and saying no to a gift is like saying no to someone’s expression of love. This connects deeply to our relationship with God, who gives us so much that we sometimes refuse to accept. My own struggle with receiving stems from my background and addiction cycle where I didn’t feel worthy, blocking my ability to receive blessings properly. I want to help others avoid this same spiritual trap.
Lesson
Gifts are a blessing to both the giver and receiver. When we accept gifts graciously, we allow others to express love, and we practice receiving – an essential spiritual skill. The song lyric “God put a million doors in this world for his love to walk through” suggests that we ourselves are doors – both in giving and receiving. Everyone around us who may be giving or receiving with us are also doors for God’s love. Refusing gifts can block this divine exchange of love that God intends.
Apply
Take a moment to reflect and write down: Are you primarily a giver or a receiver? How could you become better at whichever role you struggle with more? Recognize that you are worthy of gifts – God designed you to both give and receive His love. Practice accepting gifts with grace and gratitude, understanding that in doing so, you’re allowing God’s love to flow through others to you. This balanced approach to giving and receiving will make our world a better place and help bring God’s kingdom to earth.
You be blessed.
The Gift of Giving and Receiving: Learning to Accept God’s Love Through Others
