Last Saturday I worked a 12 hour shift because my colleague and friend asked if I would cover. Now I did this freely for him to be with his family. There was not agreement to exchange days and so it was. By Monday, my 3rd 12 hour day, I was dragging and tired so I asked if he would cover my 6 hour shift on Saturday. He agreed that he probably could as long as the weather held for his commitment to mowing some lawns.
Last night I text him and say 'we're still on for tomorrow yes?' He tells me that he's got one more lawn today so it probably won't be until 11 am. Now I'm feeling a little resentful and irritated because I had these plans to sleep a bit and catch up on chores.
Most people would say that is only natural - but wait...it is our nature to sin.
You may be shaking your head by now thinking wait a minute you guys had a deal, you filled in for him Saturday so you have every right to be upset! NO, no I dont'. Don't get me wrong it didn't stop me feeling like that for a time but the truth of the matter is I offed my Saturday to him freely and joyfully with no expectations. However, when I asked for the time in return I took away the gift of just doing it for him because I wanted to and instead tried to make it an "i pat your back you pat mine" situation which was never the purpose.
It was not his sin that said he couldn't do it - it was mine for thinking he 'owed' me for being there when he needed and that is my shame.
When I give to another I want to do it out of love and affection and not out of expectation and a view as to what I might get from the deal. So as I go through my commitments and offer to do something the first thing I want it to be is a gift to them and not a worry of what might be extracted of them later.
Just like Jesus gave his gift of life to me with no strings, when I do something for my friends I want them to know it's a gift with no strings.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (Whole Chapter)
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
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