Have You Ever Asked?

Have You Ever Asked?

Psalms 116
KJV
12+ What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?

This is a question we should ask ourselves from time to time, especially as a year draws to a close. It is a reflective and thought-provoking question that must be asked in the deep of the night when one lies on his bed.

I’ve had the opportunity to ask a friend who organized and invited me to a party. In the quiet of the event, I asked what the reason behind the event was!

You can guess his response !! God has been gracious to me! Beloved this is true for every one of us; in every aspect of our lives, He has been gracious to us.

Now the difficult part of the question is the “ what”. I know how many feel when it comes to the “ what” can they render? Especially when you consider the person you want to “ render “ something to. Yes!

Many have asked  me in private what do I think they can “ render” to someone who they consider having every thing or is capable of providing!  Interestingly, remember to   “ render “ is to serve! To offer a service, a service of value and use

First of all, we need to understand what the question is. It is this understanding that will help identify/know what to “ render”. It is a question of gratitude, how can I express my gratitude?

Gratitude is not defined by the size of what one gives, because it is a matter of the heart. It is what is valuable and comes from a loving heart.

Maybe Micah can help us; he asked a similar question and this was the answer he got; read it, 

Micah 6
KJV
8+ He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

He had earlier asked what at all will please God; will big sacrifices do? In the process of contemplating what to do what you’ve read  came to him;

So to “ render “ or show “gratitude” to someone is not about the size of what;  but the state of the heart. It is a token to let the recipient know how much you appreciate them.

If the recipient is a godly person, they will understand this; unfortunately, in most instances, they will not. Recipients have been heard /seen etc treat gifts received with contempt because it was not what they were expecting. Yes!

Let me help you with ideas of what to “render”  
Firstly pray about the intent; the Lord will reveal this to you. It may be any of the following ;

To go clean the house of the person, if he/she is old and confined.

Or, prepare a meal to share with him/her. 

Or  print a T-shirt with thank-you words and her/his picture printed on it.

Offer to weed his/her garden if he/she has one and it is weedy!  

Go to the market , buy foodstuff  for her/him 

These are clues  the guiding principle is this :- Render a “ need “ not a “ want”. A “ need” is more appreciated than a “ want” A “need” touches the heart more than a “want.”  

Beloved , these are just suggested examples; you may add your own and share them with us. Just let  us not forget to show our appreciation/gratitude to people from whom we have benefited!  Scriptures record some examples of those who did otherwise; read them!

2 Chronicles 32
KJV
25+ But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

(Uzziah) 
2 Chronicles 26
KJV
16+ But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

A thought to share , hope it helps