Giving is Greater (Acts 20:35)
Acts 20:35, I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Jesus was the greatest giver. He gave the ultimate gift and He is the example of abundant giving. He coveted nothing of this world. He gave all He had to others. He willingly sacrificed His own life for others. God’s Word clearly teaches that He put us on this earth not to see how much we can get, but to see how much we can give. Untold millions of people have this backwards. When we become born again, new creatures in Christ Jesus, our new nature wants to give, but our old nature wants to hang on to what we have. Jesus tells us that it is more blessed to give than it is to receive. He wouldn't have said this if it wasn't true. Why is it more blessed to give than it is to receive? Here are four reasons: 1. When we give generously, we put God first ahead of our own selfish interests. By doing this, we are obeying His Word and this obedience will cause Him to bless us. 2. When we give generously, this shows that we trust God. The degree of our giving is a clear sign of our freedom from fear. Freedom from fear is always a blessing. 3. When we give generously, this protects us from the snares of greed and covetousness. Generous giving comes from a humble, loving heart. Greed and selfishness originate from a prideful "me first" heart and this obstructs us from the blessings of God. "... for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (I Peter 5:5). 4. We are blessed because the more we give to God, the more this opens the channel for Him to see that we receive abundantly in return. If we withhold our giving, we are actually withholding the blessing that our Father wants to give us. The receiving that most people want deep down in their hearts actually comes as a result of our giving. This is one reason why Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than it is to receive. Because by our giving we do receive. When we accept and apply these principles, giving really does become a blessing. Prayer: Lord, I know Your promise of greater rewards in Heaven than those rewards we could ever receive here on earth. Enlarge my heart to give more than I would receive. May I not lose focus of the purpose You have called me to fulfill. Use me to further Your Gospel message for Your glory and to serve those who You place in my path. In Jesus name, Amen. If this post has blessed you in any way please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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AuthorDr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord. His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship with Christ. Archives
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