Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Nov/69

Contributor - J. Schriel

Title - It is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive

Topic - Meditation

Acts 20:35

The month of November is usually marked by the Churches as stewardship-month. We observe stewardship Sunday, every member visitation programmes are carried out, budgets for next year are made, pledges are given and we repeat time and again the words of our text: "It is more blessed to give than to receive". And we need to be reminded of this time and again because we are liable to forget it. Why ? Because it really belies our natural inclination and often the way we live.

We should realize that these words are in fact the words of Jesus. The apostle Paul quotes our Lord Jesus here in his farewell address to the Ephesian elders.

What does our Lord really say in this expression?

First of all we notice that Jesus declares here that it is blessed to receive. Well, we do not want to argue with that, do we? From our childhood on we have been receivers and the verb 'to receive' was written with capital letters in our vocabulary. Many people have never learned that there is something else besides receiving. And when they give they ask immediately: "What do I get out of it"?

The second thing we notice is that Jesus says that it is more blessed to give. Is this true or false? It is true because only by giving we earn the right to live. A man is only rich when he puts more into life than he takes out. The Dead Sea is dead, because it only has an inlet and no outlet. And so it is with a human life: it is dead when it only knows how to receive and does not know how to give. This also is true in spiritual matters. The soul that does not know how to give, is dead. In other words: Failure to give is a spiritual sickness. That's why in a house visitation we should not hesitate to ask the question : "Do you give to the Lord according to what He gives you ?"

It is true, the Gospel says: "Receive ye". But we only are able to receive in spiritual matters, when we also give. Our Lord Jesus gave Himself to us. What do we give to Him ?

The parable of the Lost Son is revealing here. The son, before he went away said, "Give me". When he came back he said : "Make me". This also is the experience of any disciple following after Jesus Christ: The fullness of receiving is in the giving: of time, talent and treasure.

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.