GENEROSITY, THE GREATER BLESSING
SCRIPTURE: ACTS 20:35 (AMPL)
”In everything I have pointed out to you [by example] that, by working diligently in this manner, we ought to assist the weak, being mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, It is more blessed (makes one happier and more to be envied) to give than to receive.”
As a child of God, “giving” is fundamental with respect to your life in Christ. You were saved because out of extravagant love, God gave you His only Son, your Lord Jesus, to die for you. John 3:16 says; ”For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (KJV)
This is what God did for you.
1 John 3:16 also reminds you to do similarly for your brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus: ”By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (NKJV).
Clearly, this reveals a life of sacrificial giving. God is therefore calling you to be a source of blessing to others through your giving to them.
Fundamentally, the degree to which you are able to give to others will determine the degree to which you yourself will receive from others. The Apostle Paul makes an important reference to the words of our Lord Jesus in today’s verse. Giving to others is God’s instruction to you to make a difference in others lives. Your ‘giving’ and generosity to others is also one access to experiencing more of God’s blessings as our opening scripture states: ”It is more blessed to give…”
This means that receiving is a blessing but giving is a greater blessing than receiving. It also means that withholding and not giving is not a blessing. This is something you ought to continue practising daily by looking for opportunities to minister to and bless others.
Consider this: If God wanted to unleash more of His goodness towards you, what would he do? One way is that He would stir you from within to give by showing you a need in someone’s life. God is far more generous than you realize. You become a channel to experience more of God’s goodness when you give. The one who is only receiving, therefore, can only function on a lower level of God’s goodness than the giver.
The scriptures teach that God causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. This is how generous your Father is. He is willing to extend his grace and generosity to you and others unconditionally. You and I should do similarly. Do not let your own needs make you insensitive to other people’s needs. Determine to be a giver. It is your key to having more.
PRAYER
I thank you, father, that you have given me a life where you want me to experience more of you, your goodness and your blessings. I do recognize that the urge to give, therefore, is intended to release more blessings for me. Thank you for this opportunity to give, to obey and to flourish abundantly. I determine to be a cheerful giver in Jesus’ name. Amen.
FURTHER READING
(NKJV)
II CORINTHIANS 9:6-11
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
[7]So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
[8]And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
[9]As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
[10]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,
[11]while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.