Good morning. Christmas 2021 is well behind us. I hope that you were able to give to your heart’s content this year.
Does that seem like a strange thing to say? Is it more common when we speak to someone to suggest that we hope that the other person received the gifts they had hoped for this year? I suppose that it may be the more common expression, but I doubt that it is the most fitting.
The truth is, for all of us who have reached a point of maturity in our years, we receive greater joy and happiness from what we are able to give rather than what we receive. Sure, when we were very young, we couldn’t wait to tear into the gifts under the tree with our name on them. But before long we find ourselves far more eager to enjoy the happiness and joy expressed by our loved ones when they discover the gift(s) we have carefully chosen to express our love.
In Acts 20:35 this truth is related to us: In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
The context of this statement is the farewell of the apostle Paul to the elders of the young church at Ephesus. Paul reminds them that when he was in Ephesus, he didn’t ask for their charity to get by, although it would have been within his rights to do so. He worked for a living so that the message of the Gospel would be received without question, and so that he wouldn’t be a burden to anyone. It was his joy to give of himself in this way, and he quotes the words of Jesus to say that there is a greater blessing in giving than in receiving.
The word translated as “blessing” is not always translated that way. Often, that word, Makarion, is translated “happiness”. Some translations do, in fact, translate the verse in this way: remembering the words that the Lord Jesus himself said, ‘There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.’ GNT-NEB-MSG
I think that it is very important that we understand and embrace the reality of this truth when we live in a society that seems far more concerned with getting than giving.
60 years ago, when John F. Kennedy gave his inaugural address to begin his presidency, he is remembered for saying: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” His address inspired children and adults to see the importance of civic action and public service. His historic words challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good, rather than to sit back and whine over what others were not doing to make their life easier.
In Philippians 2:1-5 we read: If there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…
The apostle goes on to describe the humility of Jesus who gave up His unity and identity within God the Father to become one with us. God becoming man, to bring to us the gift of life.
Hebrews 12:2 tells us of the wonder of this act is this way: fix your eyes upon Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
To me, this entire truth is amazing, but I have always been struck by the words: who for the joy that was set before him. Jesus knew what His gift would cost. Jesus knew all that was in store for Him in the giving of that gift. But for the joy of giving that gift, He endured the cross.
If anyone could ever say that they knew what they were speaking of when they say that it is a greater blessing, a greater source of happiness, and a deeper well of joy, to give rather than to receive, it is Jesus.
Our thought for today is: what amount of blessing, happiness, and joy would we care to embrace on this day? Would you like a full supply, a generous wealth of blessing, happiness, and joy?
If so, we must consider how, on this day, we will give.
Vern