Giving is Better!

Yeshua, (Jesus) said, "It is better to give than to receive." Most of us by nature prefer to be on the receiving end of things! Who doesn't like to get gifts, especially when they are unexpected? Yeshua isn't saying receiving gifts is a bad thing. The second part of John 10:10 quotes Yeshua as saying: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." In fact, he gave his life so that we all could have life to the full and everlasting life in the age to come.

However 1 Timothy 6:17 Paul offers wise advice regarding material riches:

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." (1 Timothy 6:17)

See, God Almighty, El Olam, is the biggest gift giver in the universe. He did not spare His Son but gave him up to the shame and pain of the cross. Everything we have has been given to us by God for our daily provision and enjoyment. Salvation is also a free gift from God. If our hearts are more focused on material things and wealth do we really believe that God is able to supply our needs? Perhaps He could still use our help, right? We may not be trusting God at all if this is the condition of our hearts.

Yeshua was not teaching that receiving gifts is wrong. What he did say is that giving is simply better. Doing something kind for someone who can not return the favor means storing up wealth in heaven or in God's memory. The prophet Nehemiah served in exile as the King of Shusan's cup bearer. After showing incredible charity and helping his people return to pure worship of the only true God, Yahweh, he said:

"Remember me, Oh my Elohim,(God), for good."(Nehemiah 13:31)

True wealth is what can not rust or be stolen away. Such riches can only be stored with God our Father. When we show kindness or lend to someone we know can not pay us back, we are in fact lending to Yah. When we set a dinner for people who may not have a fine home to serve us in return we will have riches in heaven. When we forgive and do good to people who like ourselves do not deserve it, we are imitating our Heavenly Father. This is what Yeshua did so to be like him and the Father, we have to do the same thing. Really, we have no good thing apart from Yah. King David recognized this. Even the resources we give to others were His in the first place!

HYMN: Psalm 25:7 7 "Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord."

PRAYER: Open my eyes oh Yah to see the needs of others today. Take my eyes off my self and the material things that draw me after them instead of You. In Yeshua's name...Amen.