The Best Way to Give Anything

by Lois Flowers

The verse popped up on an early morning phone notification during a week when I was really spinning my wheels.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5, NIV)

I’m familiar with praying for wisdom. When I was taking care of all the things for my aging parents, there were times that I literally begged God for it.

As the parent of two teenage daughters, I continue to ask for wisdom regularly—for them, as they grow up in a world that is both confused and confusing, and also for me, as Randy and I try to guide them through all the confusion in a way that is both Christ-honoring and practical.

As important as wisdom is, though, the part of this familiar verse that stood out to me—that day and often since—is the way it describes God. If you’ve been reading along here for a while, you may remember that as I read through the Bible, I make note of the words and phrases that express His attributes or names.

I’ve learned so much from doing this, but every once in a while I come across a description that really grabs me and gets all up in my business. Like when I read that God is the one “who gives generously to all without finding fault.”

Or, as another version puts it, “God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing.” (HCSB, emphasis mine)

There are some attributes of God that are His alone—no one else is sovereign, omnipotent, eternal or immutable, for example. Then there are other traits that we as humans can—and should—seek to emulate as we make our way through this life.

The ability to give generously and without finding fault is one of those characteristics. There’s obviously a financial and material application here, but I think it extends further than that.

Wisdom is not a tangible thing that God puts in a box and delivers with a bow, and yet James says He gives it to us liberally and without berating us for asking for it. Which leads me to believe that we can apply the same sort of mindset when we are asked or expected or simply feel prompted to give other intangibles—time, effort, compassion, help, unconditional love, our active presence—to the people around us.

I know how I feel, for example, when people focus their undivided attention on me and my words, without checking their watch or phone, without interrupting and without even the hint of criticism. Or when they offer me their compassion—freely, only interjecting their own stories when it actually helps, not to turn the attention back on themselves.

It’s the best way to give anything—generously and without finding fault.

The more I think about this, the more I want to adopt this way of relating in as many of my own personal interactions as I can. But I also know that this often goes against every human inclination I have to preserve my energy, interject my opinion or do whatever else I’d rather doing at the moment.

I don’t know about you, but I have to admit that the gifts I give of myself are frequently stingy and laced with traces of criticism, if not outright begrudging. Here’s where we have the chance to offer ourselves grace, though, recognizing that when God highlights one of His attributes for us like this, He’s giving us an opportunity to do things differently.

Not tomorrow or next week, but starting today.

As 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because He first loved us.”

I know it’s hard, but we can do it. We can give our love to others—by listening, providing, helping, comforting and so on—because He loved us first.

Generously and without finding fault.

Lois

It’s the best way to give anything—generously and without finding fault. Share on X We can give our love to others—by listening, providing, helping, comforting and so on—because God loved us first. Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, InstaEncouragements,  Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

Photo by Elaine Casap on Unsplash

Leave a Comment

34 comments

Barbara Harper February 15, 2020 - 8:39 am

This is convicting. I am too often a “begrudging” giver. I need to be more like the God I love and worship and represent, by His grace.

Reply
Lois Flowers February 15, 2020 - 5:14 pm

Me too, Barbara.

Reply
Theresa E Boedeker February 14, 2020 - 12:45 pm

Giving generously without criticism or judgement. I want this to be me. I’ll join you Lois. I think part of this comes from not expecting anything back in return.

Reply
Lois Flowers February 15, 2020 - 5:15 pm

Oh, Theresa … I think you are absolutely right about not expecting anything in return. Easier said than done, but it definitely helps.

Reply
Erin Gram February 9, 2020 - 5:05 pm

You had me at reading the bible and making notes of God’s attributes and names. I need to implement this!! Thank you for such encouraging words and the reminder that the Gracious Giver always lavishly gives!

Reply
Lois Flowers February 10, 2020 - 9:03 am

Oh, Erin … I’ve been doing this for a couple of years now and have almost made it through the entire Bible. What a difference it’s made in my life … I highly recommend (especially if you like to make lists and keep track of things)! I’m so glad you stopped by this week. 🙂

Reply
Linda Stoll February 9, 2020 - 7:05 am

Dear Lois … I love this image of open hands and great bounty and the sharing from one to another.

Yes, let’s be generous with each other. Thanks for pointing us in that lovely direction.

Reply
Lois Flowers February 10, 2020 - 9:01 am

Linda, we each have so much to give, don’t we? Not only of our talent and treasure, but also of our hearts. That’s where some of the greatest gifts come from, I think. Hmmm … now you’ve gotten me thinking about this even more … thank you for that! 🙂

Reply
Bethany February 8, 2020 - 9:45 am

Oh my goodness! I’ve been dwelling on this topic for almost a year and never put together this verse/attribute of God. I’m guilty of giving with stinginess or critical opinion more often than I’d like to admit. May we give generously and without finding fault!

Reply
Lois Flowers February 10, 2020 - 8:57 am

I had never noticed this before either, Bethany! Don’t you love how God illuminates various parts of His word just when you need it the most (whether or not you realize it at the time)? 🙂 Hugs, friend!

Reply
Mary Geisen February 7, 2020 - 7:15 pm

This is such a good post. First, I love that as you are reading God’s word you keep track of His attributes. That is a powerful way to know God better. Second, I know I have asked for wisdom when dealing with my sons and my parents when they were still living. But I can safely say while God is generous with me, I am not always graciously generous with others.

Reply
Lois Flowers February 10, 2020 - 8:55 am

Ack … neither am I, Mary! And yes, writing down God’s names has made such a difference in my prayer life and just overall. Thank you for your kind words, my friend.

Reply
Valerie Riese February 7, 2020 - 6:31 pm

I guess the verse that God loves a cheerful giver applies to more that just tangible things too. Thank you for sharing and for linking up with Grace and Truth this week

Reply
Lois Flowers February 10, 2020 - 8:54 am

I think you’re right, Valerie. I will be thinking of this verse when I give of my time and energy this week, especially when I’m doing things I might rather not be doing. :—)

Reply
Michele Morin February 6, 2020 - 7:20 am

For all the reasons you mentioned, wisdom is high on my list of requests from God. Often I feel the lack of it, and I’m sure that’s my over thinking and poor listening skills at fault because God does promise to give it. And I’m grateful he never asks, “Why don’t you have more of it at your age??”

Reply
Lois Flowers February 10, 2020 - 8:53 am

Oh boy … I’m glad He doesn’t ask that question of me either, Michele! Or “didn’t you hear me the first time I told you?” and any number of other questions I am prone to ask people who don’t necessarily pick up what I’m throwing down the first or fourth times. One more reason to be thankful that our Heavenly Father is longsuffering and patient. 🙂

Reply
Lisa notes February 5, 2020 - 8:07 pm

I’ve often wondered too about HOW he gives this wisdom to us. 🙂 There have been times I’ve asked and not felt like I received. But I know that’s attributable to bad reception on my end and not stinginess on God’s part to give it to me.

Reply
Lois Flowers February 10, 2020 - 8:50 am

That is a GOOD question, Lisa. I’ve been thinking about wisdom since I wrote this post, and now you’ve given me even more to ponder. 🙂

Reply
Lisa notes February 13, 2020 - 1:47 pm

Hey friend, I’m going to feature you and this post at the Grace & Truth linkup on Friday, Feb 14. It’s my first week to host. I wanted to start off with a great featured post so I pick you! 🙂

Reply
Lois Flowers February 15, 2020 - 5:16 pm

Thanks, Lisa! Grace & Truth is one of my favorite linkups and I’m so glad you are hosting now!

Reply
Jeanne Takenaka February 5, 2020 - 7:55 pm

Ahhh, Lois, this is so, so good. It’s easy to give with a smile on my face and a frown in my heart. I love the authenticity you’re encouraging when it comes to giving to others. There have been many days when I have asked God to help me love well. It seems like when I love well I’m more likely to also “give well,” so to speak.

Thanks for offering this beautiful food for thought!

Reply
Lois Flowers February 10, 2020 - 8:47 am

Oh yes, Jeanne … when we’re loving well, it’s so much easier to give generously. The good news is that we don’t have to conjure up the love all on our own … God is ready and willing to fill us up so His love can flow through us. But then the choice is ours to remove that “frown from our heart,” as you describe it … and sometimes that is easier said than done, isn’t it? Here’s to loving well, my friend!

Reply
Trudy February 5, 2020 - 2:34 pm

This is so powerful, Lois. Some years ago, that part of the verse really jumped out at me, too. It has been such a comfort since, so thank you for reminding me of it. I still am awed by it to think God would give so generously to us without ever criticizing us. Even when we ask while thinking more of ourselves than of Him. He is so gracious. I love how you seek out God’s attributes. Yes, may we be more like Him and give generously without finding fault! Love and blessings to you!

Reply
Lois Flowers February 10, 2020 - 8:38 am

I love that this same part of James 1:5 made an impression on you too, Trudy. I know there is much that we can’t understand about God and how He operates, but there is still so much about Him that we CAN learn just by paying attention to how He is described in scripture! Hugs, friend!

Reply
Tracy February 5, 2020 - 8:46 am

Hi Lois, I’m visiting from the instaencouragements link-up. Great post. Doing anything, God’s way, is always the best. One thing I always remind myself with regards to giving, is that one cannot out-give God. Great encouragement here.
God bless
Tracy

Reply
Lois Flowers February 10, 2020 - 8:34 am

That’s a wonderful point, Tracy … we cannot out-give God. Aren’t you grateful that His supply of wisdom, grace and the fruit of the Spirit is inexhaustible? So glad to hear from you this week!

Reply
Laurie February 5, 2020 - 6:48 am

Ouch! You really hit home with this post, Lois. Why is it easier to give generously and without criticism to others and so hard to give ourselves the same generous grace? I will be thinking about this for a long time.

Reply
Lois Flowers February 10, 2020 - 8:29 am

I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, Laurie … why is it so hard (for women especially) to give ourselves the grace that we so badly need? I don’t have an answer, but I’m still pondering. 🙂

Reply
Patsy Burnette February 4, 2020 - 7:16 pm

Thank you for these reminders, Lois. I am the sole caretaker for my aging parents, both in their 80s now, and wisdom is something I need A LOT of these days. I thought having 4 kids under 9 was though. This, by far, is going to be tougher!

Tweeted.

Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!

Reply
Lois Flowers February 10, 2020 - 8:23 am

Oh, Patsy … are you caring for your parents at home? That wasn’t part of my journey, but if it’s part of yours, I can only imagine the need for wisdom and so much more. And yes, there’s a different sort of energy/wisdom/stamina that’s needed when caring for parents compared with children … even when you have four under nine (phew). Comforting caregiver hugs to you, my friend.

Reply
D February 4, 2020 - 4:06 pm

You’re so right- I’ve caught myself doing the same thing at times…not giving without expectation. Thanks for sharing!

Reply
Lois Flowers February 9, 2020 - 7:50 pm

You are very welcome! So glad you stopped by this past week. 🙂

Reply
Joanne Viola February 4, 2020 - 7:04 am

Lois, this is a very convicting post – in the very best of ways 🙂 It’s true – we can offer help but accompanying the help, is a criticism, whether spoken aloud or in our thoughts. I want to join you in offering my help generously AND without finding fault. Thank you so much for this post!

Reply
Lois Flowers February 9, 2020 - 7:47 pm

It has been very convicting for me too, Joanne. Wholehearted giving … I think that’s what we’re both after, right? Hugs, friend.

Reply