“I don’t ever want to be a burden.”
My heart constricted as I faced the speaker, someone I love dearly, but would need a lot of help in coming months to face a difficult diagnosis.
“I understand you don’t want to ask for help, but people want to help. We can’t change a diagnosis, but we can help life feel easier.”
I too, have said the above response in offers of help. And now I too, was offering a rebuttal I heard. “Please don’t steal my blessings God gives me, for blessing you.”
That earned a smile.
“When you put it that way…”
It’s hard to ask for help. I know. I’ve been there too. Moving while expecting, new babies, a cancer diagnosis…The list goes on. I bet your list does too.
We hate asking for help, but aren’t we often the first in line when someone needs help? Then we feel frustrated when no one wants to accept!
A quick Google search located eleven verses that confirm, YES! God blesses those who bless others. That quick quip was actually true.
We are to give cheerfully, knowing God is able to bless generous people so they have everything they need for good work. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8) And we are told that God is pleased when we sacrifice for others (Hebrews 13:16)
Proverbs 22:9 states, “The generous shall be blessed.” Proverbs 11:25 confirms, “the one who blesses others is abundantly blessed.”
Acts 20:35 may sound familiar, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Galatians 6:10 instructs us to “Do good to all people, with every opportunity.” I reminded my loved one that the Bible tells me I should be out there searching for an opportunity to do good. He told me I’m too busy for that. “So let me help you, so I don’t need to actively search!”
He smiled at my silliness.
But in all seriousness, God wants each of us to help where we can. It’s not always materially or financially. Sometimes it’s an encouraging text message. A smile. A hug.
A cup of coffee. Maybe it’s a meal to a new mom. Or fresh baked cookies to the new neighbor.
It definitely includes holding all these scenarios in our prayers, and looking out for other’s interests. Luke 6:31 reminds us, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
God sees our hearts. When we are moved to serve others, and we follow through, it makes Him smile too. Jesus told us in Matthew 25:44-45, that “what you did for the least of these, you did for me.”
Proverbs 28:27 assures us, “Those who give to the poor lack nothing.” Proverbs 19:17 confirms, “Whoever is kind lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
Now I am armed with a list of verses the next time this dear man wants to refuse my help! I imagine this list would make him smile and shake his head. He will probably point his finger at me and tell me I need to listen to him. I imagine at that point, his voice may catch and then he’d say he loves me. I would give him a hug and remind him I love him too, that’s why I want to help.
Galatians 6:9 encourages us, “Don’t grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.”
Will you join me in prayer for just that?
Prayer: Dear Lord, Please help me to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s prompting. Allow my eyes to see where you need me to be Your hands and feet. Speak words of encouragement through me. Help me hold my tongue when someone needs me to silently listen to them unburden their minds as words spill forth. God, You know our needs. You know what people need to do to meet those needs. Guide me Lord. Help me to do whatever is needed.
And Lord, when it’s my turn to let others be blessed by helping me, help me to appreciate it, and accept their service with graciousness. Because God, every good gift is from You. Thank you, in Jesus’ name, amen.