When you put on a luncheon or a banquet, don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you. – Luke 14: 12-14

“Does anybody have a few dollars so I can get my nephews some dinner?” “Excuse me, sir, I ran out of money and I need help so I can feed these kids.”

This is what I heard after sitting down on the train one day after a long day of work.

When I looked up, I saw a young woman with a double baby stroller carrying two toddlers.

As I watched the scene in front of me, I saw the young woman ask about three or four people for help, and finally, an older woman offered to help.

Not only did the older woman offer to give the young woman a few dollars, but to have food delivered to her!

As I watched the older woman, she looked so full of joy to be able to help someone in need.

And I smiled and thought to myself, that lady has already received a beautiful gift.

To do God’s work and to give without the expectation of anything in return brings us joy and fulfillment because we know we’ve made our Father proud and He’s smiling on us.

It’s a marvelous gift indeed to give with a cheerful heart that expects absolutely nothing in return.

And we can’t even fathom the blessings that God will shower on us for being obedient to do His will.

Be blessed,

Alexia

Prayer: God, help me to spot more opportunities where I can be a blessing and comfort to others. Move my heart to give to people who need the most compassion, love, care, and attention. Help me to always give freely with a cheerful heart that expects nothing in return. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.