When You Want to Give Back to God

You may look at your life, especially as we get further from 2020, and think, “How blessed I am!”

Even in a year like the last, there are things to be grateful for: the easing of pandemic restrictions, the emergence of the sun, the ability to travel, the ability to worship once more in community and in person, the opportunity to get together with friends, and even the return of live music – among many others.

And if you are like me, your natural next inclination may be to think, “God has done much for me – what can I give back to Him?”

No More Doves

We no longer have to make physical or material sacrifices in the Old Testament style.  Thankfully, one need not have doves or goats on hand for sacrifice anymore.  Jesus through His ultimate sacrifice took care of that.

However, there are ways to turn to God – to seek Him, call Him to mind, and offer something else in thanks for His grace and blessings.

Indeed, taking the time to thank God is a way to enter into communion and relationship with Him.

Serve Others

We know that when we serve others, we are in fact serving God. In Matthew 25:35-40, we hear:

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me’.”

What better way to thank God, than in service to Him by service to His children? Think about where you can serve others in your church, your work community, family, or neighborhood. Help an elderly neighbor with their trash, help a single mom get her kids to school, serve at your parish’s monthly breakfast – and so on. Find the face of Jesus in those you serve.

Remember that in serving others, we serve God.

Worship and Prayer

Worship, plain and simple, is the most direct way to give back to God. Think about it: you are giving to God of your time, energy, and presence when you spend time in worship. That includes being at Mass and joyously singing hymns, or even just a simple form of worship performed at home.

We could extend this way of giving back to God to include being with him in prayer or adoration. Use the time to name the gifts he has given you, sending up a prayer of gratitude. Thank you, Lord, for my day, my health, the flowers that are blooming, the short line at the grocery store, the tax bill that wasn’t too high, the good news from the doctor – every good thing, large and small, is worth taking the time to thank God for.

Tell Others About Jesus

By virtue of our baptism and confirmation as Catholics, we have a mission to proclaim the good news to the world. Every one of us has this call.

The gift of faith is meant to be shared. A very wise person once told me, a gift is just that – meant to be given away! There is no better way to thank God for his goodness than by sharing the faith with others.

Evangelization may seem like a foreign – or even unpleasant – task, but it need not be. Usually, evangelization just means sharing who you are, and how God has moved in your life. There is a trope, often attributed to St. Francis, that goes, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” While the attribution may be misplaced, the sentiment rings true – we evangelize by the example of our life, as much as our words. Be a friend, be a good listener, be forgiving, and in doing so, let it be an act of thanks to God and a reminder of all he has given you.

Be Obedient

In a world and society where autonomy, independence, and fast decision-making are rewarded, offering up one’s “obedience” is counter-cultural. However, obedience does not mean losing oneself, but rather, aligning oneself with God. How to thank God for what He has given you? It would not be to chafe against the direction in which He is calling you.

In my experience, obedience is less about large, grand gestures of acquiescence, and more about small, daily, habitual movements of obedience. It is humility in action. That looks like fidelity to daily prayer, for example (even when we don’t feel like it or like that we are “getting” what we want), or knowing, and living one’s place in one’s family or community.

Why is this something we can give to God? Because it acknowledges God’s will and supremacy. If I am able to say freely and in obedience, “I am grateful to be a single person and to serve God in my work,” or, “I am grateful to be the father of a disabled child,” that is an act of interior freedom – which can only be made in alignment with God’s will. Not my will, but thine, Lord.

Give as He has Given to You

Sirach 35:1-13 perfectly explains both how we are to give back to God, and how he returns His love to us once more:

“To keep the law is to make many offerings; whoever observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.  By works of charity one offers fine flour, and one who gives alms presents a sacrifice of praise.

“To refrain from evil pleases the Lord, and to avoid injustice is atonement.  Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed, for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts.

“The offering of the just enriches the altar: a sweet odor before the Most High.  The sacrifice of the just is accepted, never to be forgotten.

“With a generous spirit pay homage to the Lord, and do not spare your freewill gifts.  With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy.

“Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means.  For he is a God who always repays and will give back to you sevenfold.”

We see that observing the law, offering works of charity, and offering praise, is how one gives back to the Lord. Above all, he calls us to do all things with a “spirit of joy.”