WHO DOESN'T WANT TO BE BLESSED?

To receive a blessing has different meanings and one of them is to be given something for which one is thankful. We most often relate it to a material blessing. For some it is getting a new 46” wall mounted plasma television, for others it is exclusive jewelry. Common for us all is that we like to receive things that can make us happy or can give us satisfaction in one way or another.

Who would not be happy to receive a gift as precious as this one?

Well, I took a look at what the Bible has to say on the subject from just that perspective. And you know, sometimes the Bible has a way of straightning out our daydreams at the same time as it teaches us a lesson about life. So what now? Am I to forget about the big wall mounted blessing? - you ask. Maybe not, but you might still be in for a surprise. In the book of Acts the apostle Paul, when talking about his life accomplishments, makes the following statement:

            You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and

            the needs of my companions. 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 him-

            self said: ”It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:34 – 35, NIV)

Paul says, in other words, that he has helped those less able than himself. He did not want to be a financial burden to the young churches he and his fellow workers established throughout Turkey and Greece. They wanted to be a blessing to them instead. The reason for it was quite simply the words of Jesus, that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

That is not the order in which we often think of blessings. Most often we think that when we have a surplus we can give to others. What we are really saying is that when we have been blessed almost right out of our shoes, then we can give. Yes, Jesus does say the exact opposite. Start by giving and then you will be blessed. Really? But how? Am I to give before I receive???

As I was talking to one of my students one day, he shared a little story. He had made an agreement with a foundation to support them with a montly amount to enable them to help people in need. He then told me how all other bills were just that, bills. But when time came to send money to this foundation, he thought about how he was helping someone else by sending this money. And then he said: ”It made me so happy to give this money away.”

”So happy” Right there lies the secret. You see, giving to someone else becomes a blessing in itself. The blessing comes right back to you as a sense of happiness and satisfaction. This is exactly what Jesus and Paul knew. Giving can make you happy. Giving can give you satisfaction back! That is why Paul worked so hard. It was in order to be a blessing to others because this would become a blessing to himself.

If you haven't tried it you should. Like that student of mine you, too, can experience the happiness that comes from doing something good and worthwhile for someone else. And as you probably know, we are taking over the burden of caring for another 25 kids in an area where poverty is widespread. So we have the perfect opportunity for you to get started. Just send us a mail requesting more information to: 4perukids@gmail.com

So now, at least in theory you know that blessing comes through giving, not just by receiving.

Giving to others can bring joy and satisfaction, too.