It is more blessed to give than to receive. This is an often heard quote from Jesus Christ. The source of this proverb lends to it an eternal validation, but it most certainly can be difficult at times to believe. In a world that idolizes those, who by any means necessary, achieve the success of great wealth, it is hard to believe a truth that is so contraryian.
My intent is not to demonize wealth or those who have riches. I understand how immensely powerful riches can be in the hand of an honorable, generous person. The world has been altered for good in such instances. However, it seems that the same world is quick to overlook these moments and focus more on the riches themselves, building pedestals for those who attain them by hook or by crook. With the proliferation of this attitude, today’s culture sees greater value in receiving rather than giving, and in some circles it is even better to take than to give.
Thankfully, truth is truth and while few may follow it, it will always be available to be followed. Jesus’ words on giving are as true today as when they were spoken. It is better to give than to receive and in his letter to the Corinthians the Apostle Paul outlines one of the many reasons why. Paul admonishes his readers to give cheerfully and then states that their generosity will cause the witnesses and recipients of their gifts to “produce thanksgiving to God.” He later thanks God for this truth and calls it God’s “inexpressible gift!” Paul obviously understood the magnificence of God's design in giving.
The single greatest accomplishment any person can make is to bring glory to God. God alone is perfect. He is the Maker of all things. He is sovereign over all things. For this reason He is the only being who is worthy of glory. He lovingly and generously shares His glory with His children, but He alone is worthy to receive it. So when we as His creation can cause glory to be given to God, we accomplish our greatest achievement.
This is why Paul refers to this principle of giving as an inexpressible gift. It is in giving that a person converts their personal, worldly, corruptible resources into an eternal glory to God and exchanges something that is going away with something that will never end. Through the transaction of giving we have the opportunity to not only help those in need, positively affecting the lives of others, but as a result of this transaction we produce an everlasting impact as glory is given to God from our actions! It is amazing how God makes such things available to us.
Let us endeavor to see afresh the truths that - Giving is Better than Receiving - and that - there is no greater accomplishment than bringing Glory to God!