Page 34 - Dainfern Precinct Living August Issue 2025

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

GOOD RECEIVING

B Y PETER S T OFFBERG

erhaps you’ve seen this kind of thing go down, or been part
of it. It happens in restaurants all over the world. Everything
Pis fine until the bill arrives. “I’ll get this one.” “No, please
let me get it!” What follows would be really funny, if it wasn’t
so awkward. A long drawn-out conflict filled with negotiations
and compromises eventually ends with someone having the
satisfaction of winning the honour of paying. An honour that,
curiously, nobody really wanted in the first place.
If you’re a student, this may seem strange to you. Why would
anyone do this? If someone offers to pay for supper, it’s time to
celebrate (and perhaps even regret not ordering something more
expensive). But as we grow older and more established, many of
us feel the need to outdo others in gestures like these. We are
uncomfortable receiving generosity.
Have you been embarrassed by an expressly generous birthday
gift or other token of appreciation? The first thought is often how
we can reciprocate, and repay the kindness rather than just be
grateful for it. There’s also the opposite extreme. That of taking
gifts for granted, not appreciating the gesture and hardly giving it
a thought. What’s behind this difficulty to receive graciously?

Perhaps, we’re embarrassed that someone would think we’re
needy or incapable, or maybe we prefer being a good giver, and
don’t want to give up that reputation. It can become a contest
and a matter of pride.

If our discomfort in receiving is a matter of pride, then our ability
to receive would be a matter of humility. Gratefully receiving
without feeling like we have to somehow prove our worth, one way ON SITE SUNDAY SERVICES @ 9h30
or another, isn’t always easy. www.familychurch.online
DAINFERN COLLEGE AUDITORIUM
Perhaps it’s why it can be so difficult to receive the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. God says He loves us, and has given us the gift of
His Son so that whoever believes in Him will be granted complete
forgiveness and an eternal and perfect relationship with Him.
Isn’t there some way we have to earn it, to prove we’re worthy? but it must be received. In 1833, George Wilson was convicted
of numerous crimes and sentenced to death. Influential friends
Forgiveness and restoration with God is a gift. It’s not earned, managed to secure him a full presidential pardon. The gift of
freedom. The problem is, he refused it. That refusal, as a court
of law later established, completely nullified the pardon and
rendered it worthless. George Wilson remained condemned.

God offers us complete forgiveness, and freedom through Jesus
Christ. We don’t earn it, nor can we. It’s a gift. The greatest and
most extravagant gift ever. But what good is it, if it’s not humbly
and gratefully received?

32 DPL issue 7 2025