I live as a public figure in my own way. I'm not famous, but I'm not an unknown person, so I guess I can be called a public figure. When I go to official places, I have my own place, so there are times when I receive gifts. And there are times when I receive gifts while socializing with close acquaintances. In each case, there is a certain joy that I like. It's a feeling of being recognized and respected by the other person.

  I reflected a bit on the past days when I lived with such a feeling of happiness. I was happy to receive and happy to give. I'm sure there are many people who can relate to this. I think there are many people who can relate to this. I have three older sisters, three older brothers, and one younger sister. My siblings enjoy giving and receiving from each other. That's why we get along so well.

  In my social life and ministry, I experience two kinds of people in relationships. There are people who have good relationships and people who don't. If we go back to the rule of thumb, people who have difficult relationships have a strong consciousness of not giving and not receiving. There's nothing to worry about, there's no pressure, so they're good for each other. In some ways, this is quite realistic and convincing. But the relationships around them have no depth. When the going gets tough, they're strong in their egos because they're alone, and they're going through it alone.

  On the other hand, people with good relationships have one thing in common: they are busy. They have to be diligent. There's give and take, and a lot of things come and go during that time. Sometimes it's exhausting and tiring. You may even feel empty, wondering what you're doing. But in the midst of all this hustle and bustle, there is an amazing synergy that enriches my mind and soul. 

  I did some simple math. If you don't give and you don't receive, you get 0 (zero). There is nothing left. Of course, if you give (1) and receive (1), there is nothing left, so there is no math. However, I am sure that the reader who is reading this with a clear mind realizes that the difference between the two is very, very large. In that sense, I favor the give and take culture within capitalism over communist or socialist ideas.

  However, while I like this culture, I am also happy to give because I have learned and known the devoted love of Jesus. Living like that, people around me have a lot of benefits. When I think about why this is so, I realize that I have received much more than I deserve. I received the Lord's salvation free of charge, but the free gift of grace to my brothers and sisters was much more abundant. I am grateful to the channels of grace who give freely.

Deepl Transfered