Tears came to Katy’s eyes as she said, “I know we needed it, and it was a huge help. But it’s really tough to let people help me since Larry walked out. My dad has been doing repair work, and the older kids have been helping out with groceries. Even my friends gave me gift cards for my birthday. It is so painful to know that I can’t give back right now.”

Sandy reached over to hug her friend. “What you need to understand is that you are not indebted to these people. They are being God’s hands and feet as He honors His Word and provides for you. You would be robbing them of a great blessing if you refused their kindness. Be sure, someday God will use you to extend that same blessing to someone else.”

Our culture promotes independence as a great virtue. Whereas our society once valued and encouraged interdependence, today “neediness” is considered weakness. But the body of Christ and the Word of God present an opposing view. We are told to “carry one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2). The New Testament church had a major ministry to widows and orphans.

When a legitimate need is provided, our response is to receive God’s provision with thanksgiving and rejoice in His faithfulness. It is a witness to a “me-first” world. If false pride makes it difficult to be a gracious receiver, we need to search our hearts.