How refreshing and true this is, that giving is more blessing than receiving. This view is so opposed to our natural tendency to not give unless the benefits are directly related to us in some way. It is amazing how even when we are moved to finally crack open our wallets, or spare some time for someone else we choose to get smug about it. We quickly pat ourselves on the back saying "Yes I have done something good today." or worse still "If only everybody would do what I do...".
Psalm 53:3 "They have all fallen away;
together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good,
not even one."
How ungrateful and disturbingly prideful we are. We who are created beings made in the image of God are so unlike our creator. We need to pray for new hearts. We need the Holy Spirit to change our hearts and make us into people who give for the glory of God, who are willing to give all that we have for Christ and what he's done! But why exactly should we be giving?
1 Corinthians 6:19b-20 "You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Paul is reminding us here that we do not belong to ourselves, that everything we do with our bodies should be to glorify God because of what Christ has done for us. That cannot be emphasized enough: Everything we do should glorify God. This includes how we give, which has always been a sign of how willing we are to serve Christ.
I have recently been the recipient of such generous giving, and I have such a hard time accepting it. Without me asking anyone besides The Lord, He has answered so many prayers through people around me. I could say nothing at the time but accept reluctantly because of my pride. If giving truly is more blessed than to receive, then receiving is far less blessing than it is to give. Through God using people around me He has been changing my heart on giving. I want to give without any credit but it is very hard. The times I do manage to fight my greed and pride and to give what has been given me in far more abundance, I have been truly blessed. I want to learn to give more and without reserve.
If we think about it for even one moment, hasn't God given us the ultimate gift? He sent His Son who did nothing but good to everyone around him and sought and did the will of His Father perfectly, until death. He took the punishment that we rightfully deserve. How can we hold anything back? We have been given more than we will ever be able to give back.
Help us Father to give like You give. To be of striking likeness to You and give like You gave. May we give untill it hurts and give some more. Father I love You and I want nothing to be more precious to me in this life than You. Amen.
JMS
“Our Lord Jesus Christ gets from a good many people what they would not dare to keep back from Him, and what they can readily enough part with—it is sometimes about as much as their shoestrings cost them in a year—certainly not as much as they spend upon the smallest of their many luxuries. Yet the most of them consider that they have done all that they should when such insignificant offerings have been laid at their Lord’s feet! But, dear Friends, I hope that it will be your rule both to give as you love, and to give till you feel it.” - Charles Haddon Spurgeon