Showing thanks

Interesting.

I understand the concept of giving for the reward of men vs God, so I give secretly so those not involved in the exchange wouldn't know;

But I also believe we are accountable for where we give, and like Lynx says if the recipient doesn't at least acknowledge it, do we stop giving there.

Personally, given a gift, I will say a thank you upon receiving it, and after separately opening or use thereof acknowledge the specific item.

But hey, that's just me. Walking to the beat of a different drum.

Let's go Truden

This is an example of the difference between "Charity," and love/kind acts by man IMO.

Charity is the perfect love of God. He gives it freely, and without being asked, AND expects nothing in return. Not even an acknowledgement of what He has given. John 3:16 tells us how much He loves all mankind.

Kind acts, or the love man gives usually comes with expectations. As you stated, the person saying thank you for (fill in the blank) ___________, and possibly, acknowledging again the kind act after it was received/consumed.

Men/women give love, but they also expect that love be returned in some form. We can "love" many different things. I LOVE blackberry cobbler, BUT I am not very charitable towards it, because I'm gonna eat all I can of it!

Even parents loving their children expect some sort of response from that child. Yes, we may well love our children regardless, but, in my experience, IF that love is rebuked or ignored, or not returned, our depth of love begins to wane over time.

Charity! Gods perfect love! I am not sure man can ever achieve such love while here in this world in our earthly bodies.

Don't let your right hand know what your left hand is doing says the Scripture. This refers to doing charitable acts WITHOUT people knowing the acts. You are right to do them in secret, Jesus said if we receive the recognition of men for our charitable acts, then we have received our reward already. Charitable acts, dare I say works, done in secret will be rewarded in heaven.

Lynx is correct also, in that we should not do charitable acts "expecting" any recognition. However, man is not a perfect being, and this is why I believe man can not achieve the perfect love that God gives.

I get this.

But where does the Biblical charge of accountability for what we do with our resources come in - could giving to someone who doesn't appreciate it count as burying it in the dirt, or casting pearls before swine? That's one reason I give thanks to givers - so they know their resources weren't wasted.

Our accountability for the "good works" we do is found within our "intent." IF our heart is full of love and kindness, and we are giving/doing with the "intent" to help others, we have revealed the God-love of Charity.

As for the last part of your statement, consider this:

Did God "waste" His love when Jesus died for the sins of all mankind? He knew full well that an untold number would never accept His love and receive His grace, yet He gave it freely and without strings attached!

Jesus gave His life on Calvarys Cross for ALL MANKIND, yet, He knew that not nearly ALL mankind would believe.......did He die a "wasted" death? Were His "resources" wasted?

Stop doing "good works" like man, and do them like God.

You're all getting hung up on the thank you part. That's not the point. But it is oh-so-typical of online exchange these days. I say I like mangoes, you assume that means I hate oranges and go off on a why-do-you-hate-oranges tangent.

Don't listen to what's in your head, listen to what's being said.

The point is the accountability to do right with the resources God gives you. And how to judge who/what is or isn't a righteous receiver of those resources. How do you judge whether you've given them to the bank, or hidden them in the ground?

THAT is the question. For the umpteenth time.