The Burden Of Responsibility

Richard is the breadwinner of his family. He has to take care of both his siblings and parents. It has become quite difficult for him to do the things he wishes to do for himself. Despite the fact that no one really helped him in his journey, he has become extremely stressed by the burdens of others. If not his younger brother's school fees, it is the house rent of his parents. Even his elder brother's problems come knocking at his doors from time to time. Richard is doing his best but Richard is an unhappy man. Unhappy with himself, unhappy with the situation, and sometimes unhappy with God.

I've seen people do good things with such a level of stress, anger, worry, and despondency that I wish I could tell them that they are better off not doing them. They are better off saying unapologetic no to the person they are trying to help than to do it with such a spirit of pain. God does not want his children to be that way. He wants us to be cheerful givers. It doesn't matter if you're giving to your church, pastor, parent, brother, neighbor, friend, or anyone. He wants you to do so cheerfully. It doesn't matter whether you're giving from your abundance or the little you possess, learn to communicate your good deeds cheerfully and with a deep sense of gratitude.

This is one of the best things you can learn today: the act of cheerful giving. I've found myself in a situation where I have to carry the burdens of others and I do it with such ease and joy, that those who discover the things I do become very astonished at how I do them with such grace that has room to even think of their own burdens. But that is what it means to walk with Jesus. You're independent of situations. You're a master, not a slave. You're a blessing to your family, not a victim of responsibilities. You're a problem solver, not a prisoner of challenges.

I see it as a privilege to assist my family. It is a blessing that you're the one that could help. When you pay those school fees, develop a deep sense of gratitude that you're able to do so. Many wish they could help, but they are totally handicapped. They can't even afford to borrow to assist because no one will lend to them. But you're able to do it and you've done it for some years now. That's a blessing of its own. Something that should compel you to appreciate God instead of saying, 'God why me... or God how long'¦'.

I understand that your concern has to do with you not having enough yet everyone is depending on you. I know some of your friends get it from their families but you're the one giving to yours. But you have to see it as a blessing instead of a curse. Jesus said, 'Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you' (Matthew 5:11-12). If Jesus wants you to rejoice when under life-threatening persecution, he wants you to rejoice with the burden you have to carry monthly.

Refuse to be a broken man. Refuse to be an unhappy man. Refuse to be defeated man. Become a master. Rejoice evermore, give with joy, give always with Joy. Thank God, you were able to pay off your family debt. Yes, there are financial principles that require us to save despite how many needs and wants are around us, but when we have to give, there is only one way God wants us to do it: CHEERFULLY! ,

'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.' (John 14:27).