Blessed to Give than to Receive

Do you want to know something funny about quoting the Bible?

Many believers and nonbelievers are just as likely to quote the Bible without realizing they are quoting the Bible, as to think they’re quoting the Bible when they are not.

One such quote is the phrase, “It is better to give than to receive.”

Truth is sometimes both believers and nonbelievers

Such a true and awesome quote! Of course it is. Jesus said it first.

This is a beatitude that is not found among the beatitudes in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in the gospel of Matthew. Instead it’s found in when the apostle Paul credits this truth back to Jesus.

Here is the full sentence:

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” - Jesus,

Have you ever experienced this in life?

Philippians 4:17 ESV

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.

I mentioned in my introduction post for the purpose of this site that giving is the most fun I have with money.

Let me share a short story of generosity with you.

Now, I want to always make it clear I don’t share stories like this to scratch myself on the back or toot my own horn. It’s not proper to give so others will see. If that’s the purpose then those accolades are reward.

I share this story to illustrate a personal experience with the overflowing and inexpressible joy I experience when giving.

There is a family in our church who God has called to lead short-term overseas mission trips each summer.

As with most mission groups, there tends to always be a person or two who struggles to come up with the money to go. After working hard at faithful fundraising and saving their own pennies, sometimes it’s still difficult and requires additional support.

God is faithful to those he calls, so if you sense the call you trust him to provide.

One particular year my wife and I some cash saved up in our vacation budget category when two questions came across our plate the same week.

The first question was, “Do you want to join us for vacation this summer?”

To go we’d need that saved vacation money.

The second question (mostly asked of ourselves) was, “Are we able to generously help someone go on a mission trip this year?”

See, my wife and I both love short-term overseas missions. Countries like Honduras, Haiti, Mexico, Costa Rica, even Native American Indian Reservations, are places we’ve participated in ministry.

We both know how much a community can be impacted and a servant can grow on a trip like that. So when we’re generous in those areas as the Lord leads.

On this particular day my wife and I had spent a few hours praying and talking this through. No matter what solution we discussed it just never felt right.

If we give to the mission we may not be able to afford vacation.

If we choose not to give to the mission and instead go on vacation, it seems selfish, although we believe God wants us to take care of our families and enjoy them. Vacations are good for our rest and our relationships with our family and the joy of our kids.

After hours in a stalemate, I said the magic words.

“What if we gave the saved money to the mission, committed to the vacation, and trusted God to provide.”

The look on my wife’s face told me instantly I had finally found the perfect solution.

So we did it. That afternoon I drove to the ATM and withdrew the cash (to remain anonymous) and delivered it in an envelop to the mission leaders.

Check out the joy! I was so excited on my way to the bank I could barely contain myself! The inexpressible joy pumping through my heart made it hard to sit still in the car.

Honestly, typing that number in and holding the cash in that envelop and handing it to the mission leader was exhilarating.

It had nothing to do with the amount of money. In fact, I’ve spent very large sums of money in the past on my own consumption and not been that excited.

Don’t get me wrong, I like the feeling of buying something new as much as the next guy, but that feelings wears off.

This generosity feeling will live on forever. To know my wife and I had the opportunity to help send a missionary on the trip of a lifetime where they will serve the least of these and grow closer to Christ - that is a blessing.

What about you? Have you experienced the blessing of giving and now realize it’s better than receiving?

I write for Cheerful Money because I want you to experience the blessing that comes from generosity.

It’s never about your money. It’s always about your heart.

The apostle Paul wrote his letter to the church in Philippi while sitting in prison. He was very good at challenging churches to be generous while also reminding them he works on the side to support himself. He was a tent-maker.

To

Here’s what he told the church:

Philippians 4:15–17 The Message

You Philippians well know, and you can be sure I’ll never forget it, that when I first left Macedonia province, venturing out with the Message, not one church helped out in the give-and-take of this work except you. You were the only one. Even while I was in Thessalonica, you helped out—and not only once, but twice. Not that I’m looking for handouts, but I do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity.

Philippians 4:15-17

That’s what I want for you.

As a pastor that’s what I want for the members of my church.

God will see the sacrifice you make and he will be pleased.

What is the blessing?

I can’t answer that question. It’s not my job. I can tell you, though, that the blessing is worth it.

The blessing could be financial returns, sure. Anytime God, who knows our hearts, sees our full trust in his ability to provide for our needs, he will trust us with more.

In the story of generosity I shared above my wife and seemed to have received many blessings.

The very next morning God prompted someone to hand us a little cash. It wasn’t the full amount we had given, but it was a significant gift that brought me to tears and a smile and a praise.

We were able to go on vacation too and it wasn’t been a financial burden. God created margin.

My inexpressible heart full of joy remains full to this day. I love knowing I got to help with the work of the Kingdom of God.

I share all this because I love you and desire good things for your life.

Next time you hear someone say, “It is better to give than to receive,” you can think to yourself, “Yes, that’s a more blessed way to live. Thank you, Jesus.”

If this story has helped you in anyway, please share it with a friend.