Are you a need meet-er or one who seeks a need meet-er? two entirely different mindsets/roles and yes, there are times when it is our needs that are uppermost in our minds and thoughts. But are you also a need meet-er? To be honest, I think we are both. But sometimes we are unaware of how we go about being a searcher for or a need meet-er.
And if you are a need meet-er… what’s your motivation? If the last question sounds like a setup, it’s not meant in that way. With as much ‘give to get’ thinking that seems to be pervasive, I’m just asking you to check your heart’s motives. One of my all time favorite scriptures about need meeting is found in Luke 6:38. And there are a number of implications about our motives implicit here.
“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more ]For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.” (AMP)
This verse comes with a promise (given to you) but also with a standard (how we measure what we do). When you read this same verse in the Message Bible it says:
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”
I find the Message version really gets in one’s face… but it’s also more difficult to ignore – I think because it is closer to the words we use today so the meaning isn’t obscure. ‘Giving, not getting, is the way.’ That’s a good way of looking at our motivation. If we follow some of today’s thinking that says we should give so that we can get – wrong! That can the result but it should never be the motivation. If all we do is give some action but mostly lip service to what Luke is teaching, then what is our ‘reward’?
Personally I’ve always (always is always defined in terms of when I understood) coupled this verse with Matthew 6: 2-3, AMP (right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing)
“So whenever you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not blow a trumpet before you [to advertise it], as the hypocrites do [like actors acting out a role] in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored and recognized and praised by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing [give in complete secrecy], so that your charitable acts will be done in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.”
I have to admit that when I observed the ‘stage setting’ actions I also saw the embarrassment on the faces of those receiving – grateful but uncomfortable about being the focus. If you were the recipient… how would you feel? There really is no excuse for this kind of behavior from need meet-ers.
