II Corinthians 2:3 “And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.”
Sending and Receiving
Have you ever had one of those days where it seemed like everyone was out to get you? In that type of day, it seems everyone has something negative to say about you, and it all comes raining down on your head. Sometimes you can receive grief for doing what is right, but it is important to remember the general life principle that what you give to others will return to you.
If you know much about Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, you know that some problems needed to be dealt with that were unpleasant. Paul recognized that the people on the receiving end of his chastisement were the very people who would be the source of his joy later on. He realized that what he gave would be returned to him.
If all you ever dish out is sorrow, you can expect to receive the same from others. If you hand out peace, you can expect peace to come back to you. That is not to say that every conversation you have with people will be sweet, sappy, and sentimental. The truth is, whatever comes out of your mouth and from your life should be motivated by a passion for right and a love for people. What you give to others will be returned to you!
When you live for the benefit of others, you benefit from the blessed lives of others. The more you invest yourself in the blessings of others, the more those blessings will “boomerang” back to you. The more you bless people, the more people there will be to bless you! What are you receiving back from people? If you are the receiving end of bad things, look at what you are sending out!