Give Up Grabbing ~ Give In to God

It is not uncommon in friendships or a marriage relationship to feel slighted when it comes to giving and receiving. Jacob surely felt this way when he worked seven years for his future father-in-law for the privilege of marrying Rachel, his daughter. But the conniving, prospective father-in-law manipulated Jacob into working another seven years by hoodwinking him into first marrying Leah, his older daughter. 

          Jacob was a slick conniver who would take whatever he wanted by hook or crook without worrying that his schemes would turn against him. When he agreed to work seven years for Rachel, perhaps he believed his dreams were coming true. 

 

          Seven years is a long time to work for the woman he loved, but in doing so, it seemed he had control of the situation. Yet if he were to become God's man, a man reflecting God's grace and mercy, he would have to lose the arrogant attitude that dominated his life. God patiently and deliberately redeems those he chooses to carry out his purpose. 

Giving: A Bridge to Healthy Relationships

Jacob’s transformation from a shrewd grabber had to be a first step in preparing him for building a reliable bridge for healthy relationships. Ironically, in the grabber’s perception, all that’s taken is never enough to satisfy the impulse to grab more. Transforming a grabber’s attitude requires God’s act of redemption. The grabber will testify it is more blessed to receive than to give.

Aristotle, the fourth century BC philosopher believed, "The good man thinks it is more blessed to give than to receive." St. Francis, 1600 years later, testified, “It is only in giving that we receive." In God's economy it is never the amount given, but the condition of the heart and feelings of gratitude that count.

Jesus identified a poor widow who gave only a fraction of a penny for her offering to God, but it was all she had, in comparison to money given by a wealthy person who would never miss what he gave. There is no greater reward than God's favor. Think about it.