Give and it shall be given unto you

When Jesus came along he was much more radical than the religious leaders of his day. He said things like, “You have to die in order to live,” “You have to lose in order to win,” “You have to be a servant if you want to be a master.” Something else he said that stood traditional thinking on its head was this, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  (Acts 20:35)   No, I'm not misquoting Jesus. He actually did say that. Now he didn't say it was easier, or it was more natural, to give than to receive. Just that it was more blessed. Receiving is simple. Giving is challenging. Receiving is easy. Giving is daring. Yet Jesus said giving was more exciting, more satisfying than receiving. Do you believe him? Why not have a go and see for yourself? It could be something as simple as paying someone an unexpected compliment, like a work colleague, a friend, or a neighbour. It may be giving someone an extra hour of your time to listen, visit, or call. Actually, it works a lot better when you are not expecting a return or reward, although it will undoubtedly happen. What about giving a gift? Perhaps someone you know is struggling financially right now. Why not put something in an envelope and send it to them, preferably anonymously.  I promise you, however blessed that person feels it will not be as good as how you feel.

Being a giver does something to our hearts. We become more generous, more compassionate, more sensitive to the needs of others. And best of all, after 2000 years we find the words of Jesus still as real as when He first spoke them. Givers are never losers. You cannot out give God.  “He who sows bountifully, will reap also bountifully” (11Cor.9:6) John Bunyan said, “There was a man, some called him mad; the more he gave, the more he had.” Remember what Jesus said in Luke 6:38? “Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” (N.L.T.)  The N.K.J.V ends the verse this way, “For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Do you use a shovel or a spoon?  There is a saying today regarding giving. ‘Pay it Forward’ Don’t wait until you get. Give in advance.

Those of you who saw the movie Schindler’s List,  will recall the German business man, who when he saw the horror of what the Nazi party was doing to the Jews, he determined to save as many as he could with his money. He would buy as many Jews as he could to work in his factory, which was making ammunition for the German war machine. On the one hand he was buying the Jews to work for him, but on the other hand, he allowed them to sabotage the ammunition. When he entered the war, he was a wealthy man. But by the time it ended, because he had spent so much of his own money saving the Jews, he was almost bankrupt.  When the Germans finally surrendered he openly wept when he looked at his car, and said, “I could have done more. Why did I save this? I could have bought ten more Jews with this” As much as he did, he wished he had done more. I think as much as we might do, we always could do more.

“There is a blessed kind of giving, which, though it makes the purse lighter, makes the crown heavier.” Thomas Watson    

- Pastor David Goudy