The apostle Paul informs us that Jesus once said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). He, of course, is speaking of material possessions and Paul compares it to sowing in anticipation of a harvest. I wonder if we have looked upon giving as a matter of sowing in the hope of reaping. When we give to some needy cause, we should do so without expecting anything in return or it is not a gift which we have given but a loan we have made.
Too often we forget that it is a blessing to be able to give, and that we are not on the other side with those in need.
A spring of water continually gives while a pool of water continually receives. That is why a spring is always fresh and a pool becomes stagnant, constantly needing attention.
Once you fully comprehend the blessing of giving, there will be no need for schemes, drives, or sales to support God’s work. The poor preacher would not need to plead, urge and beg to keep the church he is pastoring afloat. A giving church cannot die but when people stop giving, the church is dead even if the auditorium is full. It is simply full of dead people. Anything that has life gives.
After a minister had earnestly pleaded for the cause of missions, a penurious old deacon complained, “All this giving will kill the church.” The pastor replied, “Take me to one church which died from giving and I will leap upon its grave and shout to high heaven, ‘Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.’ (Revelation 14:13.)”
Thank you for giving. You are a marvelous “live” church. I trust you will continue to allow the Lord to use you as a tool to give so others can be reached for Christ.
Dr. Mike Rouse
What to do:
✞ Give. Remember, only the dead don’t give.
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