Among material things, we cannot give what we have not received. You cannot give away a cup of sugar to a neighbor, without somehow receiving sugar from which you can give. While that applies materially, we can give from our heart without first receiving. For instance, you can give a kindness to a stranger, without first receiving kindness. However, even in the giving of kindness, it is much easier to give if we have received kindness somewhere along the line.
I John 4:10-11 says, “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” God loves you! Let that sink into your thoughts. Better yet, let that consume your thoughts, so that His love permeates your thoughts and actions toward others. We can love others because He first loved us. And because His love is abundant, we can love others abundantly.
Reluctant Retiree 