Listen to Jesus. “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Highest. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.”

Hoping for nothing in return? When I help somebody (anybody, friend or enemy or stranger), shouldn’t I expect them to “return the favor,” and help me what I’m in trouble? When I give someone a gift (birthday, wedding, shower, holiday), shouldn’t I expect a nice Thank You card? When I give shouldn’t there be an expectation of return? Should I get something out of it?

Genuine generosity gives because it is right, because you have something to give, because you desire God to be glorified, because you love people! When you give expecting you will get, that’s selfish, immature and falls far short of the mark of godly generosity.

We should not be givers who keep track of what we give – expecting to be paid back. That centers your giving in yourself. We should be a people who give, endure, avoid strife and show patience and kindness because we are “sons of the Highest.” This kind of unselfish giving has its’ own reward.

How much happier we will be, how much more valuable our giving and service will be, and how much more God will be glorified – when we decide to give “hoping for nothing in return.”