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THE BLESSEDNESS OF GIVING (I)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Acts 20:35
 
“It is more blessed to
give than to receive.”
 
THE BLESSEDNESS OF GIVING (I)
 
The Apostle Paul then dwelt on the blessedness of giving. First, he drew on agricultural imagery which was familiar to the Corinthian Christians. A farmer who sows few seeds will naturally reap a small harvest. On the other hand, the hardworking farmer who sows more seeds will have a larger yield. Similarly, the one who refuses to give will receive little blessing, but the one who abounds in giving will receive a rich blessing.
 
The second principle highlighted by the Apostle Paul is the attitude of giving. We are to be “cheerful” givers. The Greek word for “cheer” is where we get the English term “hilarious.” This points to giving that is with a happy and cheerful disposition. Why should the believer be cheerful in his giving? Because he understands that all he has belongs to God, and his heart is cheered when his possessions are put to proper use to glorify God. Since he understands that all that he has belongs to God, he is more than happy to return them to God. On the other hand, a lack of cheerfulness indicates a heart that is grudging and covetous.
 
Our attitude reveals our heart for the Lord. What is your spirit when you return your tithes and offerings unto God?
 
The third principle taught in this passage is that God is no debtor to man. “When we give, God takes notice. He will not be indebted to us (and will never be). He promises to supply all our needs. This includes physical and spiritual needs” (Khoo).
 
Acts 20:35 restates the passage in this way: “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Society often teaches us the reverse, that one should seek to receive rather than to give. Scripture, on the other hand, teaches us to put others before self, just like Jesus Christ. We will receive a rich spiritual blessing when we walk so in the Lord.
 
THOUGHT: It is more blessed to give than to receive.
PRAYER: Father, teach me to give cheerfully.

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