A marionette is a kind of puppet. When you pull its strings, the arms and legs move. In fact, you can make a marionette dance any way you like if you hold the strings.
When we give gifts, we often declare they are given with no strings attached. We want people to know we aren’t trying to control them or play with them or manipulate them. We’re giving because we want to give. Why would we expect less from God?
God’s generosity doesn’t come with strings. He doesn’t reserve his gifts for only when we meet certain criteria. We ought to shadow God in our giving and give generously in all circumstances.
And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.” James 4.6