What are the two basic categories of people? The first type of person is a taker. They love to take other things from people whether it is love and affection, or material possessions.
They usually the,"what's yours is mine attitude." If you happen to buy that badly coveted blouse or shirt that your friend simply must have to add to her wardrobe, she will usually let you know about it in no uncertain terms. They are usually self centered people who miss the basic joy of helping others out because they love to.

It's easy to trade clothing with your closet friends. However, when money is involved sometimes the friendship flies out the window. It is more blessed to give than to receive it is true. However some people give other people things conditionally. For example if you like to read my poetry, what's in it for me? What can you do to help me? The principal behind altruistic giving is violated when you ask your friend to return the favor. I have found this out the hard way. However, I have yet to learn to benefit from my years of conditional giving.

Some people make you feel so guilty when they do you a favor, you feel like you are obligated to them for the rest of your life. And should you forget your obligation, they will quickly remind you. They will make you feel guilty and play on your sympathetic nature. If you give grudgingly it is far better for you to never give at all.

Jesus Christ practiced the principal of sacrificial giving when he paid our sin debt on the Cross of Calvary. Greater love hath no man than he that is willing to lay down his life for his brother. Jesus Christ not only sacrificed to save the souls of His immediate family, but also the whole wide world. Yes, He practiced the principal of conditional living not because He was a stingy giver. He wanted people to accept his free offer of salvation because they wanted to not because they felt obligated to do so.

A gift is only valuable if you are willing to receive it. If you accept a Christmas or birthday gift from a loved one, and leave it unopened obviously you did not want it in the first place. Because so many people have returned or exchanged unwanted gifts, many wiser people either give badly needed cash or prepaid debt cards or specialty gift cards. They let people choose their own gifts, and if they are still dissatisfied it is no negative reflection on the giver.

Learn more about this author, Roxanne Dubarry.
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