~It is Better to Give than to Receive~

Daily Devotional December 1st 

“I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)

The Bible has much to say about many things, all of which are good. However, whenever the Bible emphasizes a topic through repetition we should all the more sit up and take notice. Love takes front and centre when it comes to topics covered in the Bible–God’s love, our need to love others and the many tangible forms that love can take. Another topic that receives considerable attention is generosity and our need to be generous. Just as we are commanded to show love because we have experienced God’s love, are also impelled to be generous, not just once, but over and over again, just as God is generous to us.

Here are some other verses that speak of generosity:
Luke 6:38 - “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Malachi 3:10 - “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”

Hebrews 13:16 - “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

2 Corinthians 9:7 - “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
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What can we learn from these verses? God rewards those who are able to recognize that what they have is a gift from God to be used to help others–cheerfully, obediently and generously!

During this time of Advent, the preparation time for Christmas, let’s take some time to be generous. It can be as simple as performing a random act of kindness a day, providing time and money to support helping agencies such as the Food Bank or Salvation Army (or whatever charity you prefer), or actively working to encourage others through a small gift, card, phone call or text. There are so many ways we can be generous; it’s not all about money. Sometimes our greatest gifts involve generosity with our time. I would challenge all of us to think of some ways to honour God this Christmas season through acts of generosity...God blesses obedience!
~ Pastor Jane