Some people just can’t give. Some people are so busy with their own lives that giving and helping others doesn’t form part of their lives. Yes, some people live only for themselves and will drain blood from others. 

Fortunately, we’re not like that. We understand what we have received. We realize the gift we received from Jesus to live forever and, therefore, we are moved to also do good to others. 

I can testify of people who’ve cleared obstacles that were in my way. I’m often amazed at how people give their time and energy to do things on my behalf that are just too big for me. 

This motivates and mobilizes me and I then also start looking for places where I can make a difference in other people’s lives. When one has helped others, it not only has a positive impact in others’ lives, but in yours as well. It releases good dopamine in your brain. It’s fuel for your smile and the good in your life. 

A friend of mine was building a new house. He needed irrigation for his garden. I offered to do it, because I like to help, and I know about irrigation – it paid for my university studies. 

We worked hard to get all the pipes in the ground. The head gardener even helped when I couldn’t be there. When we connected the computer and opened the first tap, everyone felt good, and we stood for a long time looking at the drops falling on the new grass and plants. 

It’s nice to help others! And you feel even better when you realize that you can tick the box next to this command: 9Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully.  

But oh no, I see a twist in the tail here, because the circumstances that are described here are not so rosy. Yes, it’s easy to do good if it suits us. It’s nice to help others if it fits into our schedule. 

But when the going gets a little too tough, when we’re as busy as an ant and don’t know which way to go with our time and energy, when the timing is completely off, it’s not so easy to help someone.  

It is precisely then that we must grit our teeth and help others. Even if we do not have enough, we must help others who are hungry. When we have far too little time in the day to get our own things done and someone knocks on the door looking for just a few words of compassion, it’s our responsibility to stop the bus right there and attend to that person first. 

Being a child of God is not always light music. It demands a pound or more of flesh and time and money and energy and even more, also, or especially, when it’s inconvenient. Then let’s not help and grumble while we do it, but let’s smile from ear to ear. Sometimes you must give a piece of yourself. And that’s very good because Jesus gave His whole life.  

 Scripture
1 Peter 4:7-11  

Reflection 
Do you give? 
Is it easy for you to help? 
Is it easy for you to help even when it’s inconvenient?  

Prayer 
Father, I love to give, but struggle when it doesn’t suit me. Help me not to grumble, but to smile and just do it. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.