It is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive
It is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive
By Evangeline Unity Esaaba Folson
I have shewed up all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember hoe He said, it is more blessed to give than to receive.
The message Bible translation of the verse above
Says:
In everything I have done,
I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak. And not exploit them. You will not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our master said,
You are far happier giving than getting.
By nature humans expect to receive when they give.
- To receive something of equal value back,
- To receive a token of appreciation or
- To receive praise and commendation from the receiver
Our Lord teaches us why it is more blessed to give than to receive in
Matthew 6:1-4
Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you do not make a performance out of it. It might be good theatre, but the God who made you will not be applauding when you do something for someone else, do not call attention to yourself. You have seen them in action, I am sure – play actors I call them – treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds.
They get applause, true, but that is all they get.
When you help someone old, do not thing about how I looks
Just do it – quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way our God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.
(The Message Bible)
I like the King James version of Matthew 6:4 it says:
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly.
Jesus’ teaching in
Acts 20:35 is
…….it is more blessed to give than to receive:
- Meaning, for the receiver there are no more benefits than the gifts received and how it would meet his/her needs
- But for the giver, though he/she might be losing some of his/her resources and possessions, there may be uncountable blessings received.
- However, the blessings would only be received when the giving is done in secret.
- When you tell the whole world about what you are giving you will receive human praise and commendation that is all.
A “blessing” is defined by the google dictionary as God’s favour and protection.
It cannot be quantified or measured:
It could come in the form of healing from a personal ailment or that of a friend or relation.
It could be a financial breakthrough, an unexpected business contract that brings you several thousands of money
It could be in the form of your off-spring having great intelligence or
winning awards in school.
- It could come in the form of a very valuable gift from someone
- It could come in the form of finding favour with all men etc. and God.
Since it is more blessed to give than to receive.
- Learn to give generously
- Ecclesiastes 11: 1
- Luke 6:38
- Give without expecting anything in return
Proverbs 10:22
Galatians 6:9
- Remember you
Created for good works
Matthew 5:16
Ephesians 2:10
Learn to give generously
Ecclesiastes 11:1
Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shall find after many days
The Message Bible Version Says
Be generous invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns
This means just give as much as you can out of love without thinking of receiving anything in return from those you give to. God in His own time will reward you abundantly. Because giving out of love on concern yields high returns.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom, for with the same measure that ye give it shall be measured to you again.
This means give generous, without thinking about receiving anything immediately. In fact your giving should be directed more towards those who cannot give anything in return.
And God will reward you immensely as you have given freely.
Give without expecting anything in return
Proverbs 10: 22
The blessings of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He added no sorrow with it.
One way you can receive the blessing of the Lord is by giving.
Acts 20:35 says
……..it is more blessed to give them to receive.
The blessing of the Lord is receive freely God expects nothing in return.
Therefore, learn to give feely and generously without asking or expecting anything in return and God will bless you without measure.
Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing! For in due season we shall reap if we faint not.
The verse above pre-supposes that when humans give without receiving anything in return they get weary and stop doing good.
But the verse is encouraging us to give without expecting nothing in return and God in His own time will reward us.
Remember you were created for good works
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
According to the verse above, God created us for good works, meaning since God has no physical or human hands, He uses us His creation to do the good works He has to do here on earth.
Make yourself available to be used by God for good works for that is one of the main reasons why He created you.
Matthew 5:16
Let your life so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.
We are to do good works but not take the credit for it. Let everyone know that you are giving because God has blessed you so that all the glory goes to God.
Meditate on the words of this song
Give and it will come back to you
Good measure pressed down
Shaken together and running over
Give and it will come back to you
when you give
Give to the Lord.
Amen.
References
- King James Bible
- Oxford English Mini-Dictionary
- Google.Com
