Most of us have heard, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive,” which Acts 20:35 attributes to Jesus. Christians everywhere take this instruction to heart by helping local residents in need, tithing to charities, supporting missionaries, hosting soup kitchens, taking meals to shut-ins, or driving individuals to doctors’ appointments. These generous gifts, undoubtedly, honor God.
However, many people have trouble receiving! “Oh, don’t bother. I’m fine.” Or, “Thanks for offering, but I can manage.” Not only do these refusals hold back the help a person might actually need, but this prevents the one offering help from receiving the blessing of giving.
The two go hand in hand: Giving necessitates receiving, and receiving necessitates giving!
During Jesus’ ministry on earth, countless people received what He gave in gifts of healing, teaching, feeding, exhorting, and much more. Similarly, God gave us His Word, which encourages us to receive the promises He gives. The Bible itself clarifies:
“For everyone who asks, receives, and those who seek, find, and to those who knock, it shall be opened,” Matthew 7:8.
Jesus promised, “Whoever who has given up homes, siblings, parents, spouse, children, or land for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundred times over and shall inherit eternal life,” Matthew 19:29.
“Whatever you ask to be given in prayer, believing, you shall receive,” Matthew 21:22.
“As many as received Him (Jesus), received power to become children of God, even those who believe on His name,” John 1:12.
Jesus promised, “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you receive whomever I send, you receive Me. And those who receive Me, also receive Him Who sent Me,” John 13:20.
Jesus said, “Until now, you’ve asked nothing in My Name (aka His will). Ask, and you shall receive, so your joy may be full,” John 16:24.
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His followers in the Upper Room where they had gathered. “Then He breathed on them, and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit!’” John 20:22.
Jesus said, “You will receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses of Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth,” Acts 1:8.
“For you have not received the spirit of bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father,” Romans 8:15.
“As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, you’re to walk in Him,” Colossians 2:6.
“Blessed are those who endure temptation, for when they are tested, they will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love Him,” James 1:12.
“As each of you has received a gift from God, use it to minister to others as good stewards of the manifold grace of God,” 1 Peter 4:10.
What gift? According to the grace we’ve been given, we each receive various gifts. As this paraphrase of Romans 12:6-8 explains:
“If you’ve been given a gift of prophecy, receive it in accordance with the amount of your faith. If you’ve been given a gift of service, receive that gift to serve others. If you’re given a gift of teaching, receive that gift to teach others. If you receive a gift of encouragement, give encouragement. If you’ve been gifted to give, use that gift generously. If you’ve received a gift of leadership, lead with care and attention. If you’ve received a gift of mercy in caring for others, do so cheerfully.”
Lord God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we praise You for Who You are and for the innumerable ways You give of Yourself. Help us to believe and receive all You offer, not only for our own edification and salvation, but for those to whom You’ve given us to serve in Jesus’ Name.
Leave a Reply