Definition: If someone gives or does something freely, they do it willingly without being asked or forced to do it. They do not expect anything in return.
Synonyms: generously, willingly.
Expansion: When giving something freely, it is not obligatory and one is not forced to do it. They have the freedom to give without getting a command or being asked to do it and are not expecting a return. Many interpret giving freely in the bible such that it should not feel that we have to give but giving should be out of love and because we want to give.
Give Freely: Mini-Mission
“If I have something to give – I give. I believe I’ve been blessed to be a blessing to others.
I am a very giving person but when it comes to panhandlers, I am not so giving. Not to say I don’t help any panhandlers, I just am very leery when they approach me. I feel most of the time they are lying about why they need the money.”
We should let go of the need to decide who deserves what; it is not our job nor our responsibility. Give willingly and without judgment.
Instead of thinking, and analyzing, give what you can and do not feel obligated to.
The Whole Truth About Giving Freely
Focusing on the statement “give freely, receive freely,” there is something missing. If we give freely, without restraint, we will receive freely, without restraint. Sometimes we give for the wrong reasons; you do not need to receive everything that I want to give you and vice versa. We could give freely and receive freely but we wouldn’t be responsible for the whole truth - the things I want to give, you do not need; and sometimes the things you want for me to receive, I do not need.
The following are examples of giving freely (from the Bible): (Smith, 2019)
Generous people often give more than they are asked to give: Exodus 36:1-7
Generous people give in response to a great cause: 2 Corinthians 8-9
Generous people give out of their substance, whether large or small: Luke 21:1-4
Generous people give more than just their money: Luke 10:25-37
Generous people give even when it doesn’t make sense: Genesis 45
Generous people give to help others, even when they differ from one another: Luke 7:1-10
Generous people give to see the impossible become possible: Matthew 14:14-21
Generous people give as a byproduct of their own personal transformation: Luke 19
Generous people give out of their own poverty: Luke 21:1-4
Generous people give when others will not: Philippians 4:15-16
People should not feel obligated to give to others and should not expect anything in return. Giving freely should be done out of love without judgment.
References:
Carver, C. (n.d.). Give Freely: mini-mission. Be More with Less. https://bemorewithless.com/ give-freely-mini-mission/
Collins Dictionary. (n.d). Freely definition and meaning. https://www.collinsdictionary.com/ dictionary/english/freely
Family and Community Twining Society. (2019, April 25). Global Soul Wellness. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1daRh67LsUPhtq5oQdKq_er3kaiOXUSlK/view
Family and Community Twining Society. (2019, October 15). Global Soul Wellness and Global Spirituality. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NjMpqKPVwWQIO3pGFv8TFz Ci29XMunTVYpFHK-knu4g/edit
Joyce, T. (2014, August 5). The Whole Truth About Giving Freely. Elastic Mind. https://www.elasticmind.ca/innerpreneur/index.php/2014/08/05/whole-truth-giving-freely/
QuickSeries Publishing. (2019, April 12). Achieving Spiritual Resilience. https://drive.google.com/ file/d/0BzczUMLUBx5XMkhwVzJZS1F1UjhueGd1TVlpR1ZBenRCWFc0/view
Smith, T.L. (2019, October 11). 10 Examples of Generosity in the Bible and How to Follow Them. Crosswalk.com. https://www.crosswalk.com/church/giving/10-examples-of-generosity- in-the-bible-and-how-to-follow-them.html
Tithing. (n.d.). Giving Freely or Willingly? https://www.tithing.com/blog/giving-freely-or-willingly/
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