Loading...Remember the last time you received something special or significant in your life? You may have responded to that experience with laughter or with tears, but the joy of that moment brought with it a fulfilling sense of satisfaction.
Yet, as wonderful as receiving is, Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Jesus’ statements were never filled with religious “fluff,” spoken to appease the consciences of men and women or appeal to their sense of duty. They were words from God designed to change us from the inside out, reshape our thinking, and change our lifestyles.
The fact that it is more blessed to give than to receive is an eternal principle which is born out in the lives of those who follow it. Consider the example God has set before us. God could have elected to remain in heaven and continue to demand our worship and service through the Old Testament laws and prophets. Or, God could have sent Jesus to save us, yet still make salvation something we would have to earn. Instead, God shared Jesus with us as a free gift of love.
Since love motivated Him to give us His Son, He allows us the opportunity to receive Him and become His sons and daughters. Imagine the joy and satisfaction that fills God’s heart as He witnesses one person after another receive His gift, and with it the transformation of sin into righteousness, anxiety and worry into peace, broken relationships into new bonds, and bitterness and strife into love. The blessing experienced by the receiver is surpassed only by the blessing experienced by the giver.
We are admonished to be a follower or imitator of God as a dear child (Ephesians 5:1). When we obey God with our financial giving, we are following His example of being “more blessed.” Our gifts and offerings provide the necessary pipeline through which the Gospel of Jesus Christ is channeled into people’s lives.
Thus our gifts play an integral role in carrying out the Great Commission (Mark 16:15-16) and the salvation of humanity. What an awesome privilege it is to give when we realize not only are people helped in this life, but eternal destinies are changed as well.
So set your heart to share Jesus through your gifts of love. Make it your intention to be a giver. When you do, you’ll experience the fulfillment of God’s greater blessing.
