Yesterday I saw a sign on the marque in front of a mainstream church which said "Give More, Expect Less". I am sure all people passing by got a warm and fuzzy from this message. It is true that this is a good challenge to the carnal mind that can only make sense of relationships by expecting something back from their giving. So as far as this goes, it is a nice admonition.
However, I believe this emphasis is primarily where the church has failed to invade the world with the Gospel message (the good news). The sign should say "Receive more, be obligated less!" That would turn some heads. That would get peoples' interest because that is the GOOD NEWS. It counters the other half of the destructive nature of the carnal mind. Its when we receive the redemptive work of the Cross that we are saved, transformed, no longer an orphan but an adopted child of the King. Moreover, we are in no way obligated to God for His gift, we are merely thankful and live from thanksgiving, not obligation (that's legalism).
Jesus says He came to serve, that is to give of Himself to us without conditions or expectation. Jesus also said 'no greater love hath a man than he lay down his life for a friend'. This simply means that a loving relationship occurs when the human agenda (social exchange) is set aside, done away with and Grace replaces it as the model for giving and receiving. Receiving without obligation ushers in the freedom to love another deeply and is what is sorely missing, more than the desire to give to one another. I know far more "good" people who freely give but cannot receive than vice versa.
As I have blogged before, the genesis of trust is receiving, not giving. When giving, we are in control. Trust comes when we choose to receive from another we cant or choose not to control, when we are vulnerable, maybe even hurting or lost. Joy comes when we have the privilege to receive from one who unconditionally loves us. Its the outflow of intimacy we experience when we trust.
The carnal mind says give with expectation (in this case the sign is helpful) but also to receive with obligation (not addressed in this sign or any other sign in front of a church I have ever seen).
The Kingdom mind says give without expectation and receive without obligation.
I'd love to see that sign in front of a church one day!!!
It just might get the interest of the cynic :-)
random musings from the heart of a CRAZY old man (dedicated to those who inspire me)
P.S. we know that giving is appealing to most people, but this is not the issue. The issue is the way we make sense of giving or the mindset from which we give. The carnal minded sees giving as a way to tilt the balance of power in a relationship their way, but there is still an expectation of receiving, if not only respect from the recipient or observers. The Kingdom mind yearns to give because the person has taken on the heart of THE GIVER, and just "can't not do it"!!
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