* More Blessed to Give than Receive *

Written by a dear friend in Christ.

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December 26th 2010.

I believe you first need to learn how to receive to truly know how to give.

It is indeed humbling to be dependant. In order to receive you have to come to a place where you can’t do it on your own. Your ability to freely receive dictates your ability to freely give. It takes humility to receive the gift of Jesus. The gift of a savior. In order to do so you first need to confess your need for a savior. That you can no longer save yourself.

I think some of the most lonely people in this world have lost their ability to receive. Love, help, etc. They are hardened. If you can’t receive, how can you give? We have only what God has given to us, what we’ve received from Him to give. We have not accumulated or obtained these things on our own. It’s all a gift. Life is a gift.

Throughout this trip, I have been completely dependent on God to provide… but I really needed to learn how to receive. It’s much easier to do things on our own. But receiving takes humility. Countless people have joined hands with me through prayer, or have offered a hand through opening the doors of their home, opening their wallets, or by giving me one of their possessions to meet my area of need. I can tell you one thing- the majority of these people were strangers. Strangers that are now my co-workers; my friends; my family. And some, I may never see again on this earth.

There has been so much love shown to me. And to think- I would have missed out had I chosen to throw in the towel and not go- or had I chosen to give up prematurely- to quit.

It has not by any means been “easy”. That’s not even a question. It has required perseverance even through apparent failures. Even through feelings of rejection at times- which by the way- are all lies from satan.

Many times I faced doubt, insecurity, rivalry, pain- but in those times, I had to choose to fix my thoughts on things above. Whatever is pure, noble, trustworthy, good, TRUE. I had to meditate on God’s word that says, “ I will never fail you, I will never abandon you” (Hebrews).

I suppose the message that I am trying to get across to you today is that we NEED God. We NEED each other. If we are able to receive from God, to rest in His arms, to receive His love, His provision, His comfort, His words, His commands, His truth.. And if we are able to receive from others.. Then we will be better equipped and prepared to give- love, provision, comfort, truth.

From traveling, so many people that I’ve met- Christians and Non-Christians alike- have said, “Someone once did this for me, so I want to do it for you. When we learn to receive, we learn to give.

This trip has taught me so much about the importance of hospitality and generosity through the times when I was humbled and in need.

It is our responsibility as believers because we have freely received, to freely give. But we must first learn how to receive so that we actually have something to give.

We need to stop trying to do things on our own, STOP, and receive strength from God. Receive the gifts that God has freely given us. Receive His promises for our lives. Receive His love.

Wow. Why is it more difficult for us to receive?

Because it takes humility. We need to NEED God. We need Him to fill us- so that we can pour out.

I want to be a receiver, so that I can be a giver.

After all, it is more blessed to give than to receive.