9/22/2020
Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
We have all been blessed by what we have received from others. Perhaps, it was a gift that came just at the right time, just when you really needed it. Maybe you were surprised by a generous and wonderful gift that you could never have imagined. Or have you ever received a gift and thought to yourself, “What am I going to do with this?”. Even then you might say, “It’s the thought that counts.”
There is a blessing in receiving but according to Jesus the greater blessing is in giving. He said, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).
Whatever we give, we always receive more in return and others are blessed, too. It is like planting a seed. From one seed comes many more seeds from which come many more seeds. As long as seeds are being planted more seeds will come. In the same way our gifts will produce many more gifts for us and for others.
“As it is written: ‘He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.’ Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness” (2 Corinthians 9:9-10).
Yes, the blessings we receive from giving are many. It fills us with joy when we see that we have brought a smile to someone else. It develops our love towards others when we sacrifice for their good. It may bring peace and reconciliation to a broken relationship. You cannot put a price tag on these kinds of blessings. They are more valuable than anything we might give.
Most importantly, when we give, we are entering into the heart of Jesus. He gave Himself. His sacrifice brought salvation for all people. Giving ourselves to Him we are granted eternal life. There is no greater blessing.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Having been so blessed by Jesus we can bless others too, and in so doing we will be blessed beyond measure.
