That we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. – Romans 1:12
Giving and receiving… they are interconnected. Yet surprisingly the average person is usually better at giving than receiving. That is not to say people don’t like to get free stuff, most do! But free stuff is different than receiving a thoughtful gift. The emotions of receiving can be complicated with thoughts like “the score is no longer even, I feel one down, I owe this person now” which clouds the gift.
The art of receiving well can only be cultivated by understanding the nature of giving. Giving is a picture of grace, offering something unearned to someone else. Even if what you give is not a perfect gift, the fact that you are offering it requires something of the receiver. Those familiar with grace may recognize all that is required to receive a gift well is to accept it with gratitude. However, those striving for self-sufficiency might find themselves in the awkward position of feeling like they must now work harder to deserve the gift than they did before it was given!
The apostle Paul mentions his great needs many times in his writings as well as how wonderful it is when his companions in faith work to meet those needs. He was a good receiver, humbly allowing others the joy of giving because he understood the ingredients of grace!
Pray for the people of God in America to be grounded in grace, faithfully sharing His gift of salvation and hope with each other and the world. Ask God to draw to the hearts of those in the nation’s highest offices to gratefully receive His gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ.
Today’s Verse: Romans 1:12
that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Ephesians 2:4-9
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
