The Indian Giver

The phrase “Indian Giver” is often defined as someone who gives a gift and then takes it back. However, the true origin of this (what we can call an “accusational statement”) is more in line with the ethics and lifestyles of many of our Native American Indian tribes and their honest, rigid laws of community life.

For example, historically, if a warrior were to present another warrior with a bow and some arrows, it could be for one of two reasons. Firstly, the gift may be given to enable the other warrior to hunt and feed his family. The second reason would be as a weapon to defend his family and tribe against any enemies. Both reasons are very honourable, and the receipt of such a gift would never be taken lightly because, most likely, the bow and arrows would have been made by the giver. The recipient would be very honoured and grateful.

However, it would be understood as an unwritten law that, if the use of these gifts was not for any acceptable purpose for which they were given, the gifter had the right to take them back. For example, if the bow and arrows were ever used to murder somebody from the tribe, they would be dishonouring one of the laws of gifting. The giver then has the right to take back the bow and arrows as part of any judgment that came upon the breaker of that law.

There is absolutely a consideration of responsibilities in this case. There is the giver of the gift and the receiver. In the first place, the giver should not only consider their reason(s) for giving the gift, but also be certain that the receiver understands those reasons and the ramifications of them once the gift is received. The rules of gifting apply.

 -When God gives His children gifts, they are always perfect and given in love, either for any purpose or need.  Just read Matthew 6:8 – for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. and part of the words from the Lord’s Prayer, specifically:   Give us this day our daily bread. (Mat 6:11)

Any gift presented to us by the Lord is truly perfect in itself. However, even if those perfect gifts are given to us and we abuse them, the Lord does not take them away from us. He trusts us to acknowledge those gifts in the manner in which they were given and to be used for the purposes for which they were given. He knows how we will use them, but He still allows us to have them. As imperfect beings, we always have the opportunity to stand and live in righteousness. Whenever we misuse our gifts, He still forgives us, still allows us to keep them, and lets us understand that we can learn to use them, with His help and guidance, and for the benefit of not just ourselves but for all. He is not an “Indian Giver.”