Giving First:Listening for Others’ Needs

1 Pet 4:10 has this to say, Imagine our “meeting the need of God ” (Phil 4:19) giving to all His followers the many sided diamond called “grace” and each side represent a relational need He has met in our life. One side is called acceptance, one is appreciation, attention, comfort and encouragement. These five relational needs God has met in your life and He challenges you to share with others. It is important to become a person who “gives first” to the needs of others. What constitute a valid need? What is the difference between a genuine need and a personal “want”? A valid need is something that God has specifically met in our lives and then encourages us to give to others. The fact that God has met a particular need means it must be alright to need it. For instance, Rom 15:7 says “Receive one another, just as Christ also received us”. The fact that Christ has accepted us and instructs us to accept others means it is alright to need acceptance. He comforts us 11 Cor 1:3-4 and encourages us to comfort others, this shows comfort is a legitimate human need. Even though it may seem that we “need” these things, they are actually “wants”. People sometimes express needs through what they say. If we are familiar with these needs, we can “listen” to needs being expressed. Below are some phrases you might hear from others. Write down the relational that is possibly being expressed. Five possible needs are acceptance, appreciation, attention, comfort and encouragement. You are always so busy———– (2) look what I did ——-(3) I just can’t do this—— (4) I had a real bad day——- (5) I wish my feet were not so big——— Focus on “giving” to those around you, as Christ has given to you! Matt 9:17. It is not of God to be stingy, because God was not stingy to give the best to the world i. e the only begotten son. Christ was not stingy to give His life on the cross. He was not stingy to feed five thousand people. What about the four thousand people He fed? Although, I am aware that some of you can give, but so infinitesimal. Majority see giving as an abomination. Luke 6:38 is not joking. Let us inculcate the idea of giving as it opens way for abundant blessing. One of my students who rose to the position of professor in the university gave me twenty thousand during my seventieth birthday. There are many others like that. Some made vows towards the Church project. This is nothing, but zeal to give. The grace for us to give, may the Lord bestow on us ijmn. There is nothing we do that has no record in Heaven, because it is a command from God. People of God, what I teach as a paraphernalia for Heaven demands same from me. Everybody is included. God bless you all.