Why is there more happiness in giving than in receiving?
Reasons Why “It is more blessed to give than to receive” The most skeptical beatitude in the Bible is: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). I have shown you in every way that it is by working in this way that we must support those who are in need or the weak, and remember the words of the Lord, who himself said: There is more happiness to give than to receive. Is the giver more fortunate than the receiver? So let me help you believe it and act on it by giving you ten reasons why it is more blessed to give than to receive.
What did Jesus mean when he said “It is more blessed to give than to receive”?
Tony Evans’ Bible Commentary tells us: “Indeed, in God’s economy you will be more blessed if you are a spiritual conduit rather than a spiritual cul-de-sac. God wants to work through you so that you are a blessing (with your money, time, or encouragement), and be used by God to give and meet that need. God will return the favor. When we give, we place ourselves in a position of humility and offering on which God shows his favor. God seeks to bless those who obey him and pursue the things of his kingdom on earth! Now let’s look at 10 reasons why he is happier to give than to receive.
- Giving obeys God’s command.
The Old Testament has many more commandments about financial giving – who, when and how much – than the New Testament. Perhaps the New Testament writers simply assumed that since God had given us so much more in the New Testament – giving Himself at death – our giving should follow quite logically and easily. But, just in case we might miss the connection, there are also clear New Testament commandments. As all of God’s commandments are given to improve our lives, obeying this commandment will increase our happiness.
- Give submissions to the Lordship of God
Every act of obedience recognizes that there is a higher authority in our lives, that there is a Lord above us who is entitled to honor and respect. Because of our temperament, personality, or circumstances, we may find certain commands relatively easy to obey. Our submission is truly tested in those areas where our own nature and circumstances make obedience more difficult. For most of us, money is one of those areas. Our wallet is often the last citadel to fall under God’s rule, and even when it falls, it is rebuilt and secured again too quickly. If only we could remember that Divine Lordship is not a threat; rather, it is the place of greatest security.
- Give Expositions to the Heart of God
God is THE giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). As bearers of his image, we are called to copy his gift, to be mini-images of his infinitely great heart. The bigger our hearts (and the larger our hands), the bigger the picture we paint of God’s character. What do people think of God when they think about how you use your money?
- Giving illustrates God’s salvation
At the heart of the Gospel is sacrificial self-giving (John 3:16). Therefore, when the apostle Paul wanted to encourage the Corinthians to give more, he pointed them to the person and work of Christ. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that even though he was rich, he became poor for your sake, that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 2:9). Yes, you abound in faith, love, etc., but “let you also abound in this grace.” When we give sacrificially, painfully, for the benefit of others, we are preaching the gospel message weakly and on a small scale.
- Give Trusts God’s Provision
The biggest barrier to giving is fear, the fear that if I give too much, I won’t have enough for this or that. When we give sacrificially, beyond what is comfortable and easy, we express our faith and trust in God to provide for us and our family. This is not an argument for madness but for faith. Many Christians have discovered the joy of casting their breadcrumbs upon the waters and multiple loaves returning after many days (Ecclesiastes 11:1). It is such joy to see God fulfill His promise of provision when we obey Him.
- Giving widens God’s smile
The Lord loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 2:7). He rejoices to see his people joyfully opening their hearts and hands to provide for the needs of his Church and, indeed, of all his creatures. Through Paul, God repeatedly commends and praises those who have given their funds and themselves to the work of the gospel (2 Corinthians 8:1). There is nothing that makes a Christian happier than knowing that he has made God happy, and giving happy means a happy God.
- Advance the Kingdom of God
Many of us have contributed to the government or a company like the Big Apple in one way or another. We helped grow the company from a garage operation to the global empire it is today. But think of the blessing that results when we fund the mission of Christ’s church. We pay the salaries of ministers and missionaries. We fund resources for outreach, evangelism, and discipleship. But above all, we invest in the spiritual and eternal well-being of people of all nations, tribes, families and languages. Our dollars change the homes, relationships, countries, and even the eternal destiny of many souls.
- Giving promotes the sanctification of God
Giving promotes not only God’s work through us but also God’s work in us, our sanctification. Giving money, especially when it hurts us, requires a lot of self-sacrifice and self-crucifixion. However, as each act of giving weakens and even breaks our sinful and selfish nature, the more God’s grace flows into our hearts. Yes, money leaves our pockets, but sin also leaves our hearts. And that’s a lot. Priceless in fact.
- Giving demonstrates the power of God
Although we should not let our left hand know what our right hand is doing, it is pretty obvious that Christians give a lot to their churches and Christian charities. Even secular observers have noted with astonishment how generous Christians often are with their money. They may not say it, but they must surely mean it: “It must be the real deal for people to give so much of their own money.” They must really believe this stuff. The God they worship and serve must be incredibly powerful to make people so generous.
- Praise God’s character
Giving in the right spirit is an act of worship. It is paying him a tribute of praise. That is to say. “You have given me everything and here is a small expression of my gratitude and praise for all your good gifts. This is just a token, a sample of how I really feel, but you know the heart that hides behind me. David sang: “What shall I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? (Psalm 116:12).
Do you now see how giving makes us happier than receiving? We can obtain so much happiness when we see how God is glorified in our gifts and when we see Him blessing others through our gifts.
David Murray
Christianity.com
