Do you ever give without expectation?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

So Samuel dies, and after the event, David returns south and here is what happens in 1 Samuel 25:4-8:

David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep. So David sent ten young men. And David said to the young men, “Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal and greet him in my name. And thus you shall greet him: ‘Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. I hear that you have shearers. Now your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing all the time they were in Carmel. Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever you have at hand to your servants and to your son David.’” — 1 Samuel 25:4-8

Here is the situation:

After returning through the wilderness of Paran, David rejoins his men. We assume they are still about 600 men strong. Right about this time, he learns that Nabal is shearing his sheep, which would have been a significant event given the size of his flock. Given that his men are hungry and need a reprieve, David sends some men to greet Nabal, hoping for reciprocity in preserving and protecting them rather than plundering them, which would have been expected given the size of their army. David's request is simple: he hopes they can join the upcoming feast, celebrating Nabal’s growing wealth. After all, David understands the life of a shepherd, having been one himself. He merely seeks a little goodwill in return for his already-established protection.

In the coming verses, we will see Nabal’s harsh and ungrateful response.

It’s disheartening when you do something good and it's met with a sour-hearted and selfish person.

But our frustration is not just an issue of the other person. It sometimes stems from our unspoken and unmet expectations. When we give with the expectancy of receiving something in return—e.g., a simple thank you—and that doesn’t happen, it stings.

You may not be able to change the heart of a sour-hearted and selfish person, but you can change your heart and expectations. Practice giving without expectation. Buy a friend a meal, give a compliment, offer a gift, and work out the silent force of your expectations. Train your heart to give without expectation, and learn the heart of Jesus, who gave everything to humankind that could offer nothing in return.

#GivingWithoutExpectation, #SelflessGenerosity, #HeartOfJesus

1. How can you practice giving without expectations in your daily life?
2. What unspoken expectations do you need to let go of to foster a more generous heart?

Give without expectation.

Lord, help me to give freely and generously without the weight of expectation, reflecting Your heart in my actions. Teach me to find joy in selfless giving, just as You did for us. Amen.

Generous Giver.