Expect nothing in return
Albert Einstein once wrote “Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we know, that we are here for the sake of others. Many times a day, I realize how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.”
Jesus tells his apostles and us, very bluntly, that we can never put God in our debt or make the claim that God owes us something. We are God’s servants, just as Jesus came “not to be served, but to serve.” Service of God and of neighbor is both a voluntary act and a sacred duty. God expects us to give him the worship and praise which He is due. What makes our offering pleasing to God is the love we express in the gift of self-giving. Jesus tells us that simply doing what is required gives you no claim on God’s generosity. Doing what is required and doing it competently are certainly important but it is only a start.Gratitude that is expected or that must be asked for is not really gratitude. When you expect nothing in return you will never be disappointed.
There is tremendous freedom when we expect nothing. Because we expect nothing, we do what we do for the right motive, because it is simply the right thing to do, rather than acting like beggars looking for a handout.
I once read that perfect generosity was when the giver didn’t know who was receiving and the receiver didn’t know who was giving. Then the giver does not burden the receiver with a debt of gratitude, and the receiver can see the ultimate giver—who is God.
We are called to give praise and honor to God every day for all that He has given us. We owe him everything; He owes us nothing, because He has already given us everything.
