Giving and Helping

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 2 Corinthians 8:12-14

As I read this passage, my mind immediately went to enablers who looked like they are giving sacrificially. But really they are giving to their own detriment and the detriment of the one they are “helping”. We don’t do anyone any favors when we give and burden ourselves in the process. Eventually we become resentful and the person is not learning to help themselves. Yes, at times God may ask us to give a sacrificial gift to help someone, usually it is a test of our faith. He does not call us to go into debt or to live that way. We give from what we have. In this scripture it is a reciprocal gift. Maybe not tit for tat, but I help and then someone else helps when I have a need.

Lord, help me to give according to what You have blessed me with and not feel like debt is a place I should live in helping others. Also let me be willing to ask for the help when it is needed.