The Spirituality of Receiving a Gift
When you have eaten your fill, give thanks to your God for the good land given to you. Take care lest you forget your God and fail to keep the divine commandments, rules, and laws which I enjoin upon you today. When you have eaten your fill, and have built fine houses to live in, and your herds and flocks have multiplied, and your silver and gold have increased, and everything you own has prospered, beware lest your heart grow haughty and you forget your God—who freed you from the land of Egypt, the house of bondage…
Deuteronomy
THE SPIRITUALITY OF RECEIVING A GIFT
For many of us, it is not easy to receive lavish gifts. It makes us feel vulnerable, weak, and indebted to the giver. Wouldn’t we prefer to be strong and independent? Wouldn’t it be easier if we needed nothing from anyone else?
But there is a tremendous spiritual good that comes from receiving gifts.
Although we may from time-to-time fall under the illusion that we are self-sustaining, independent, and strong, the truth is that everything, every last thing we have and are, is a gift from God.
Every breath. Every morning. Every talent. Every good and wholesome desire. Every moment of love or beauty or comfort. All of it has been given to us by the one who formed us in our mothers’ wombs.
Continued below…
Thou in Thy love hast led the people that Thou hast redeemed; Thou hast guided them in Thy strength to Thy holy habitation.
EXODUS
Receiving a gift from another person, whether blood or money or care or kindness, reminds us of our dependence. It cracks the shell of pride that tells us we are the makers of our own happiness, health, and success, and invites us into humility. Yes, we might say, I am needy and vulnerable and weak. I rely on God for everything.
Human beings are the recipients of gifts. It’s what we are. In fact, it may be the most essential fact about us.
But what joy there is in accepting our need! If we humbly receive the gifts God has given us, our hearts fill with happiness and gratitude. Soon, we realize the gifts are too numerous to count. Even when things are very difficult—when illness, stress, grief, anger, poverty, or oppression of any kind afflicts us—we can recall the many things that have been given to us.
If you or someone you know has received the gift of blood, know that this is a sign—one of many—of God’s care for you. The same God who led the Israelites out of captivity now leads you and your loved ones through the sea of injury or disease. By means of a gift, he is inviting you to remember how utterly dependent you are on him for every good thing.