Unlocking the Paradox of Giving: Why It's Truly Better to Give Than to Receive

Giving is something expected of us as Christians. It is a virtue we learn from God, and it is developed within us as we mature in our faith. However, most of the time, it is natural for us to desire to receive something more than to give something. What we need to realize is that not only is God more pleased with the virtue of giving, but there are also more blessings for the life of a Christian who values giving.

A paradox is something that may seem contradictory, but the truth is that it doesn't. Most people think that it is better to receive, but the better choice is to give, and this is Biblically true!

There Are More Blessings in Giving

The concept of there being more blessings in giving was well emphasized by the Lord Jesus when He was quoted by Apostle Paul as saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Thus, in Paul's life, he became a living example to the churches he ministered to. To assist the needy in Jerusalem, Paul did not compel the churches to give to him; instead, he encouraged them to give to the weaker members of the churches in Jerusalem.

To sustain himself in his daily life, Paul made tents for a living, in addition to preaching the Gospel. Through this experience, Paul not only survived but thrived in his life, thanks to the blessings that God provided him. This is the reason why, despite his weaknesses, he was able to continue his work for the Kingdom of God, such as planting and strengthening churches.

Philippians 4:11-13 says, “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

But what exactly are blessings? For many, the concept is often limited to financial resources or security. However, if we delve into its true meaning, as conveyed in the original language of the Bible, blessings are synonymous with being happy and fortunate (Makarios). To be fortunate in this context signifies experiencing God’s favor—a tangible display of divine delight. When we do encounter it, our happiness increases.

For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Matthew 5:6)” The favor bestowed by the Lord upon those who passionately seek to do His will results in genuine satisfaction, leading to increased happiness. It is worth noting that many individuals mistakenly believe that pursuing wealth can satisfy them, but this is not the case. True satisfaction can only be found in God alone, and that, indeed, is the ultimate blessing.

In Matthew 6:24 the Bible says, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

The Scriptures tell us that there are more blessings in giving, which manifest in various forms, including:

• Our needs (Food and clothing)
• Security 
• Good health 
• Fulfillment 
• Happiness 
• Purpose 
• Security
• Satisfaction, etc. 

The problem lies in the misconception that most people believe all these objectives can be achieved solely through money. Money itself is not inherently bad. However, if we serve it to the extent that it dictates our lives, promising to fulfill all our needs and desires, we end up assigning it greater value than our worship of God. Upon reflection, it becomes evident that needs, fulfillment, and security are not provided by money but by God.

When Jesus urged His followers to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness," the promise was that "all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). What do these things include? They encompass our basic needs: food, water, and clothing. God recognizes our essential requirements and is capable of providing them. 

Furthermore, in the book of Psalms, David reveals that if we "delight" ourselves in the Lord, "He will give you the desires of your heart." This signifies that true heart satisfaction is found in the Lord, and these are spiritual blessings that money cannot bestow.

Why Does God Delight in Giving? 

But why does God take delight in giving, bestowing more blessings upon those who practice it? It all stems from God's design of love. His love can be described as sacrificial love (Agape). He exemplified this love when He sent His only Begotten Son to save us from eternal judgment due to our sins. God did not earn Him any favor; instead, He made the ultimate sacrifice when Jesus died on the cross. He did this to grant us hope of eternal life.

John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

To give is one of the best examples of sacrificial love because we have to part with something to give. When we dedicate our time to assisting someone in need, we forfeit that precious time, which cannot be reclaimed. If someone has a financial need, and we help them by providing money, we lose a specific amount that could have been used elsewhere for our own needs. That's the essence of sacrifice.

Agape love compels us to shift our focus from solely pursuing our interests or selfishness to also considering the well-being of others. This shift is highly pleasing in God's sight because it mirrors the type of love He has for us. When we love as Jesus did, we bring glory to God's name. In response, He lets us know that our actions are pleasing to Him, and He grants us His favor—His blessings.

Many people desire God's blessings but do not desire to follow God's example of love. Often, our selfishness is what obstructs the abundance of God's blessings in our lives. God does not take pleasure in selfishness. When we behave in such a manner, instead of bestowing His favor upon us, He allows us to experience His discipline. Favor brings happiness, while God's discipline leads to repentance.

What are the Ways We Can Practice Giving? 

There are various ways we can practice giving. Look around you: Is there someone you believe needs assistance? God's love does not favor specific individuals or dictate whom we should show love to. It doesn't matter if the person is close to us; it could even be a stranger who has approached us in genuine need. While we may not be able to fulfill all their needs, we can still contribute to alleviate some of the suffering they are going through.

Our local church is also an excellent place to practice giving. It offers programs that target individuals who are marginalized in society. By cooperating and contributing to church missions, we can lend a helping hand to those in need. Remember, this should be one of the primary missions of the church. When we give to the church through our offerings, we become partners in its mission to assist the vulnerable and the lost by providing help and sharing the Gospel of Jesus with them.

James 1:27 tells us that, “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

When we contribute through our offerings, we fulfill our role in supporting the church's workers and various needs. In doing so, it's essential to understand that we aren't solely doing it for the ministers or the church; our primary beneficiary is God. While it's true that God doesn't require anything, His workers and the church have needs. When we give, we become a channel for God's blessings and support for His work in the kingdom here on earth.

When we give through our offerings, we acknowledge that everything we possess comes from the Lord. God doesn't compel us to give, but He desires us to cultivate a love that can be expressed through giving. He wants us to experience the joy and blessings that giving brings and to develop a motive rooted in sacrificial love.

In 2 Corinthians 9:7, it says, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Furthermore, there are institutions and non-governmental organizations with which we can collaborate to assist a larger number of people. By contributing to them, we can enhance their ability to reach additional communities in dire need of assistance. We can also provide support to organizations like schools and seminaries through our sponsorships, enabling more individuals to access education and contribute to the advancement of God's kingdom on Earth.

Practice Giving Today

Our Lord Jesus demonstrated the true essence of sacrificial love by giving His life for us on the cross to save us from our sins. There is nothing we can do to repay or even equal what He has done. However, the good news is that we can please God by emulating His selflessness rather than being selfish. One way to do this is through our act of giving.

Do you know someone in need? Are you a member of a local church engaged in missions that require funding? Are you familiar with an organization that assists the vulnerable? We encourage you to practice giving and experience more incredible blessings! Always remember the paradox of giving: it is more blessed to give than to receive!