Am I a Giver or Taker
Acts 20:35 It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Paul quotes his LORD here while making a point. He makes a point that he never begged for their money. He had a tent making job that provided for their needs. He raised money only for the churches, predominately Jerusalem, that was in major financial problems due to a number of factors.
This statement Ive found in my own life is so powerful. I'm full and complete, satisfied when I give. In this world full of takers, its refreshing and a powerful statement when we give! I remember the 14 large boxes of brand new baby clothes some women from Minnesota shipped down to us after hurricane Katrina for donations. We decided to set up a tent outside the church and give these wonderful items away free of charge. Oh, that was so very thrilling! Some hoarders came but mostly those who needed the items. It was on many occasions that people would ask, "are you sure you don't want some money for these clothes, maybe an offering to the church?" Nope, freely we received them freely give them away. We would also share the simple gospel message how you only need to receive Jesus. No cost! That was a blessed day! Now anytime we give unto the LORD, its blessed. This isn't to downplay us receiving! But this world is full of takers, not receivers necessarily. There is blessing in receiving, a humility at times we need to allow. For many, its hard to receive. I want to follow in my LORDS steps and be a giver!
Paul quotes his LORD here while making a point. He makes a point that he never begged for their money. He had a tent making job that provided for their needs. He raised money only for the churches, predominately Jerusalem, that was in major financial problems due to a number of factors.
This statement Ive found in my own life is so powerful. I'm full and complete, satisfied when I give. In this world full of takers, its refreshing and a powerful statement when we give! I remember the 14 large boxes of brand new baby clothes some women from Minnesota shipped down to us after hurricane Katrina for donations. We decided to set up a tent outside the church and give these wonderful items away free of charge. Oh, that was so very thrilling! Some hoarders came but mostly those who needed the items. It was on many occasions that people would ask, "are you sure you don't want some money for these clothes, maybe an offering to the church?" Nope, freely we received them freely give them away. We would also share the simple gospel message how you only need to receive Jesus. No cost! That was a blessed day! Now anytime we give unto the LORD, its blessed. This isn't to downplay us receiving! But this world is full of takers, not receivers necessarily. There is blessing in receiving, a humility at times we need to allow. For many, its hard to receive. I want to follow in my LORDS steps and be a giver!
Recent
Archive
2025
January
New StartWalking Worthy of the CallingWhy Leave the Grace of God?Abasing or Abounding in ChristGod Delights in His Children Coming HomeHow Can I Be Like Jesus?Godly Desire Leads us to Glorify GodJust So You Know, God Loves YouTurn From & Turn ToBeing Led By ScriptureA Call to ReasonOur Actions MatterWhy Did Jesus Need to be Baptized?Father, Son, & Holy SpiritSave me LORDThe Faithful MartyrStephen's MartydomJames the Great (apostle)Philip the Apostle (54ad)Matthew (60ad)James the Less (63 ad)Matthias (70 ad)Andrew the Apostle (70 ad)
February
John Mark (68 ad)Peter (69 ad)Paul (69 ad)Judas-Thaddaeus (70 AD)Bartholomew / Nathanael (70 AD)Thomas (72 AD)Luke (93 AD)Simon the Zealot (74 AD)John (98 AD)John the Baptizer (30 AD)Ignatius (107 A D)Polycarp of Smyrna (155 A D)Justin Martyr (165 A D)The Scillium Six (180 A D)Perpetua, Felicity, & Blandina (203 AD)
2024
January
Long winded PreachingDifficult Callings are still CallingsA whole Bible makes a Whole ChristianPurchased by His Blood.Am I a Giver or TakerDirection or Information by the Holy SpiritIm Set to Join My LORDLook, focus on these thingsSame Steps as Jesus' trialThe Power of a Personal TestimonyChosen to Know, See, & Hear GodKeep it Simple, PRAYDon't trust this worlds systemsWisdom among EnemiesLORD stood by meKill Paul or die tryingDon't Put Jesus OffThe Resurrection is Mind blowingCrazy or SoundHow Powerful is Gods WordFight Conventional wisdomGod, why go through this storm?My Pain is Your Gain
February
What Shall I Do In Rome?Our Roots as GentilesStay at Home JobExperiencing Gods WordHow do I become Wise?Simplicity isnt always goodTrust in your LORDGods CommandGenuine FaithTeaching Sound DoctrineEmpowered by the SpiritChrist' MissionFight the Good Fight of FaithAvoiding a Titanic DisasterMen's Spiritual DutyJesus Is GodJesus is LightThe Great Shama
March
God Directs my ordersJesus Came According to the ScripturesFaith the World hearsGiving to God is personalHow to PrayTo Whom do you pray to?Holy is His name.Gods will be done nowReveal Your Word to us todayYou forgive us & we forgive othersDeliver Us From evilForgive because you've been forgivenHow do I Fast?What does your heart treasure?Does Your Eye lead You in Light?You Cant Serve Two MastersTriumphal EntryMonday Passion WeekTuesday Passion WeekWednesday Passion WeekThursday Passion Week
Categories
no categories
3 Comments
It is a blessing to give and a blessing to receive, but oh the extra joy in giving; especially when the giving is done at the Lord's prompting.
Yes it is. We grow to understand that this side of eternity, we a conduits of God. What we have, we enjoy, but often times is not just for us. Looking at the bigger picture, God blesses us, gives us, then to give to the world. Just as the feeding of the 5000 as well as the 4000. Oh, we are blessed, but what a blessing to partake of the joy God does as we give what belongs to God unto His purposes. If everything I have came from God, its only fitting to figure out why He entrusted me.
Amen!