More Blessed To Give Than Receive
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Introduction
Introduction
Greetings…
I’m thankful to be here once again with the fine brethren here in Oologah.
I look forward these blessings and send greetings from across the way at Ramona.
Tonight, my topic of discussion is on it is “More Blessed To Give Than Receive.”
This comes from an interesting text found within the second letter Luke wrote where he was discussing several situations with the elders from Ephesus.
One of the many things he says to them is a quote from Jesus.
35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
This quote is interesting because it is not found in any of the four gospel accounts.
That isn’t surprising as John informed us that there was too much to tell of Jesus to fit into a few letters.
25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
Tonight, I want to focus on one aspect of this quote from Jesus which is the “crux” of the entirety of it with the acrostic “GIVE.”
To be blessed is to be happy based on something done and that which Jesus says we are to do to be blessed is “GIVE.”
So with that in mind let’s examine our lesson for this evening.
For our first letter in the acrostic we have…
Getting To Give
Getting To Give
Something Given Comes From Something Else.
Something Given Comes From Something Else.
No one can give without first having something to give.
This is simply reality.
We can’t give of our financial means without have finances first, which is one reason Christians are to be the hardest workers in society.
Acts 20:35 (NKJV)
35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
Ephesians 4:28 (NKJV)
28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
This is why so much emphasis is placed on working hard as Christians.
6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,
2 Thessalonians 3:9–10 (NKJV)
9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NKJV)
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…
We can’t give of our knowledge and wisdom without getting knowledge and wisdom first.
2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
This is why it is so important to seek knowledge and wisdom.
Proverbs 1:5 (NKJV)
5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel
12 Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to words of knowledge.
Philippians 1:9 (NKJV)
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment
We can’t even give of our time without having time to give first.
Because as you and I know there is no guarantee of what will happen at any given time.
Ecclesiastes 9:11 (NKJV)
11 I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
Proverbs 27:1 (NKJV)
1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
I only point this simply truth out because when we understand that, it makes helping others more of a priority because “right now we have time” but we don’t know about the next minute.
In other words, we when we can because we don’t know if we can tomorrow.
Summary
Summary
In order to “give” we first have to have something to give.
Giving of ourselves is a great blessing to us but it takes a lot to make us able to help others in all reality.
Not only must we get to give we must also have…
Intestinal Fortitude
Intestinal Fortitude
It Takes Guts To Give.
It Takes Guts To Give.
The reality is most of us will not as Garth Brooks put it, “…have more money than our grand kids could spend.”
When the opportunity arises to help we will not have an “abundance of overflow” financially.
However, that doesn’t excuse us from helping where we can and how ever we can because those less fortunate will always be there.
11 For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’
It takes intestinal fortitude to help but we must help.
16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
How we help is not as important as helping, as long as it is righteous help.
Maybe we can help the widows like Tabitha.
Acts 9:36–39 (NKJV)
36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did…39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
Maybe we can offer a place to relax and feel at home someone in need of such like Publius did for Paul and the other prisoners ship wrecked on the island of Malta.
Acts 28:7 (ESV)
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
Maybe we can offer a meal or a place to stay like David to his enemies grandson Mephibosheth.
2 Samuel 9:3 (NKJV)
3 Then the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.”
13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet.
Summary
Summary
There is no doubt that it is easier to help some more than others and there is also no doubt that some ways of helping are easier than other ways of helping.
But the truth of the matter is, God doesn’t just expect us to help with the easy situations, no he expects us to help with the hard, and brothers and sisters.
Not only does giving take “getting first” and “intestinal fortitude” it also takes…
Virtue
Virtue
A Standard Of Right.
A Standard Of Right.
Giving of our time, money, effort, skill, love, etc takes an understanding of how God has made us.
Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
As blood-bought new creations we were created for this, this “standard of right.”
A moral excellence is expected of us by God.
2 Peter 1:2–3 (NKJV)
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
2 Peter 1:4–5 (NKJV)
4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge
A moral excellence is what we are to meditate upon.
Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Summary
Summary
This moral excellence motivates us to the good works we were created for in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Giving to others and helping others takes a mentality of moral excellence, of virtue, covered with meekness and wisdom.
It takes a powerful understanding of what we were created for in Christ, good works by way of a “standard of right.”
Giving to others takes “getting first,” “intestinal fortitude,” “virtue,” and lastly…
Energy
Energy
Not Growing Weary.
Not Growing Weary.
Helping others and giving of ourselves will take a lot out of us.
It is exhausting helping those in need as it never will end as we saw in Deuteronomy 15:11.
It’s no wonder then, that the bible is replete with passages on “not growing weary doing good.”
Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 (NKJV)
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
Hebrews 12:1–3 (NKJV)
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
I will say it again, it is exhausting helping others.
There is no two ways about it, it drains you physically and mentally.
When we get that call for help from our brother or sister or our neighbor and we think , “I don’t want to help right now.”
This is when we think of the passages we just read.
When we think of the inspired holy writ, “don’t grow weary of doing good” because we know we are not alone and God is with us to help us muster that energy.
Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us
Summary
Summary
It is during these times that we rally the energy and help because that is what we were created for, “Christian works.”
Christian works, that are meant to inspire in others a desire to glorify God through what “we are doing for them.”
Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Brother and sisters let me be abundantly clear, our faith is tied directly to “how much we give of ourselves to others.”
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
That “living faith” is accomplished through getting what we need to get to help others and through intestinal fortitude to do what needs to be done.
That living faith is motivated by a standard of right, virtue, a moral excellence expected of us, God’s children and it’s is going to take energy that sometimes only God can provide.
But brethren we can do it and when we give in this way, “God’s way” we will be blessed.
We will find a happiness, a joy, a peace that is only found in God and obedience to him.
Invitation
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.