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Let's give more // Vamos doar mais


 

Isn’t it good to give gifts? Does it feel good, doesn’t it? Why is that?

We are made to give, donate. We are made to make another person happy. It is a pleasure to see the other one happy. Our brain likes it. If you try, you will feel more fulfilled than when you buy something for yourself. People lately are saying things that “you must think of what YOU want”. Really? Doesn’t the world have enough selfishness around? Can you really stand a selfish person? Someone that is always put oneself first? Does any relationship survive if one, at least one of the people are selfish?? Doesn’t require some sort of selflessness, sacrifice, to make a relationship work out?

Yes, Jesus came to the world to teach us that. He said: “Love one another as I have loved you.” Do you think that in this phrase selfishness fits? Apostle Paul once said, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,” Philippians 2:3. How does that sound? Selfish or selfless?

At this time of the year, everybody is thinking about gifts, to give, and to receive. But we must not think about giving only if we’re going to receive something in return. Giving as the Bible teaches is not a trade, it is only giving without requiring anything in return.

Let’s carry out this feeling of giving throughout the year, not only during Christmas or birthdays. Let’s give more time, more attention, more love. Let’s spread joy, hope. Jesus said, “Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31) and “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. (Luke 6:35)

Not always people will treat us fairly, but that doesn’t mean that we should do the same to them. That is what the world says, not what God wants. Love means sacrifice, suffering, giving without expecting anything in return.

That is the teaching Jesus brought to us.

 

Não é bom dar presentes? É uma sensação boa, não é? Por que é que?

Somos feitos para dar, doar. Somos feitos para fazer outra pessoa feliz. É um prazer ver o outro feliz. Nosso cérebro gosta disso. Se você tentar, se sentirá mais realizado do que quando compra algo para si mesmo. Ultimamente as pessoas estão dizendo coisas que “você deve pensar no que VOCÊ quer”. Realmente? O mundo não tem egoísmo suficiente? Você realmente suporta uma pessoa egoísta? Alguém que sempre se coloca em primeiro lugar? Algum relacionamento sobrevive se um, pelo menos uma das pessoas for egoísta ?? Não requer algum tipo de abnegação, sacrifício, para fazer um relacionamento dar certo?

Sim, Jesus veio ao mundo para nos ensinar isso. Ele disse: “Amai-vos uns aos outros como eu vos amei”. Você acha que nesta frase se encaixa o egoísmo? O apóstolo Paulo disse certa vez: “Não faças nada por ambição egoísta ou vaidade. Em vez disso, valorize os outros com humildade acima de si mesmo ”, Filipenses 2: 3. Como isso soa? Egoísta ou altruísta?

Nessa época do ano, todos estão pensando em presentes, em dar e em receber. Mas não devemos pensar em dar apenas se vamos receber algo em troca. Dar, como a Bíblia ensina, não é uma troca, é apenas dar sem exigir nada em troca.

Vamos levar essa sensação de doação ao longo do ano, não apenas no Natal ou nos aniversários. Vamos dar mais tempo, mais atenção, mais amor. Vamos espalhar alegria, esperança. Jesus disse: “Faça aos outros o que você gostaria que fizessem a você. (Lucas 6:31) e “Mas amai os vossos inimigos, fazei-lhes o bem e emprestai-lhes sem esperar receber nada em troca. Então, sua recompensa será grande e vocês serão filhos do Altíssimo, porque ele é bom para os ingratos e maus. (Lucas 6:35)

Nem sempre as pessoas nos tratam com justiça, mas isso não significa que devemos fazer o mesmo com elas. Isso é o que o mundo diz, não o que Deus deseja. Amor significa sacrifício, sofrimento, dar sem esperar nada em troca.

Esse é o ensino que Jesus nos trouxe.



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