Paul in Acts 20 quotes Jesus as saying, “It is better to give than to receive.” We often hear this quote around Christmas time when we’re buying presents for loved ones (and perhaps for less than loved ones as well). But this isn’t just a Christmas quote, it’s a way of life.
We might have a hard time believing Jesus here. I mean after all, receiving is pretty good. We like the free samples at the grocery store when they happen. And giving, well, sometimes giving is difficult. We might not want to part with what we’re giving. A part of us might even say something like “hoarding is better than giving.”
We can’t simply state this quote of Jesus as a platitude and expect it to change anyone’s life, because on its surface level, we distrust the saying. “Maybe Jesus was having an off day,” we might say. Or “maybe He meant that for someone else it was better to give, but He knows I REALLY need to receive right now.”
But Jesus may not mean that giving “feels” better than receiving. Instead, He is showing us that giving is actually better inherently. Giving makes us more, receiving simply gets us more.
The average stats of Christian giving in the United States is that Christians give about 2% of their income to church, instead of the 10% spoken of in Scripture. Imagine what that 8% could do to evangelize and help people in need. Instead, most church budgets are limited to the minimum expenses of having a building, some workers, and a little bit of programming. Stats also show that Christians give about $1200 more than non Christians to charity each year. I’m glad non Christians haven’t outshined Christians, but I wonder if we could widen the gap a bit, believing that giving is actually better than receiving (or hoarding).
Thankfully, our giving is not what makes or breaks Christianity. Instead, what makes or breaks Christianity is not our giving, but the self-giving love of the Person who told us that giving is better than receiving. Jesus fulfilled His own words, showing us that giving is indeed better than receiving when He gave His life to pay for our salvation. He gives us a free gift that cost Him everything, and it was infinitely better for us than if He held something back.
So look around for an opportunity this week to give. Maybe to a charity, maybe to church, maybe to a coworker or classmate. Maybe you’re giving financially or with your time and energy. Whoever you give to, know that this act of giving is going to be better (even if it might not feel like it!) than receiving.