When a gift has strings attached

In my last post, the Israelites complained about their hunger, framing their past slavery in Egypt as preferable to their current hunger in the wilderness. Nevertheless, God hears their complaints and prepares Moses for a gift…and a test:

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” (Exodus 16:4-5)

God recently told the Israelites that if they kept His laws, they would avoid the kinds plagues visited upon the Egyptians. Now He gets specific with a test involving their hunger, telling Moses He will give them bread (manna), but with a condition: They will get enough bread every day for only that day, and on the sixth day they will get a double-portion. He expects them not to hoard their daily bread, and to rest on the Sabbath. This gift has terms!

Gifts are a regular characteristic of families in business. From offering physical care, emotional support, and wisdom, to giving cash, assets, and ownership in entities, gifts are practically inherent in the relationship. Sometimes gifts are expected by the receiver (what we might call a sense of entitlement); other times gifts are a total surprise. Some gifts are freely given, but many gifts have an element of expectation. Those expectations may be expressed as conditions or “strings attached,” or as a simple, unspoken hope given with the gift.

What are some of the gifts you’ve received from family members, and what expectations — verbalized or not — came with the gift? What are some conditions you have placed on gifts to others?