Acts 20:35 Remember the words of or the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than receive. Most Christians know full well the principle of giving and that it is indeed more blessed to give, but receiving is a different story. A number of people have a difficult time receiving from others. Part of the reason is that they don’t have a firm grasp of its purpose. Another part is that some confuse receiving with taking. While yet another pertains to pride. It’s not merely that one knows to receive, it knowing how to receive that will make all the difference in the Kingdom.
In order to give, one must have a recipient for the gift. It is hard to give when there is no one to receive. When we receive from others we are opening up a place of blessing for them. As an act of love we open ourselves up to receive from others, so that they are able to give. Keep in mind that this goes far beyond finances. There are so many different areas that a person can give. Most people want to give so that they can be a blessing, and by opening up to them, we allow them to be one. By receiving we actually become a blessing in that we are allowing another to be on the giving end of the deal. We know that God blesses those who give, therefore, we receive for the sake of others. The concept is found in Philippians chapter three. The Philippians had desired to bless the Apostle Paul, but lacked the opportunity. As Paul states it in verse ten: “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.” Going further in verse eleven, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” As we read on, we come to verse 17 and 18 : “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable,well-pleasing to God” (emphasis added).
Please note that Paul was not after the gift, he wanted to see fruit in the life of the Philippians so that they could be blessed. He was receiving in love. In the Kingdom, the principle is give and receive. In the world, the principle is give and take. Under the Kingdom principle, we are affording others the opportunity to give. In the latter, we are demanding that they give. One is by free-will, while the other is by compulsion. If we are going to receive in love, we must allow others to give freely without having some sense duty to perform for us. We don’t use Scripture against them in order to take from them: “Ya know brother, it is more blessed to give than to receive.” When people are using the Word of God to manipulate others to give, they are taking! Please understand: there is big difference between manipulating another, and teaching someone a biblical truth for their benefit.
Receiving requires humility based in love. If our motivation is wrong, we can give for the wrong reasons and miss out on the blessing. For example, some can give to feel superior. In some instances, it is another form of manipulation in that they want others to owe them. I knew such a person, who said to me that he enjoyed having people owe him. A pure gift has no strings attached! If a person has such a mentality, he is going to have a hard receiving, because he does not want to owe anyone, anything.
People have a hard time with weakness, and thus have a hard time receiving because it may infer that they have a need. Some just want to be known as a giver; hence, they refuse to receive. Pride can take up all kinds of shapes and forms, but the bottom line it is still old fashioned everyday pride. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” The ironic thing about promotion in the Kingdom, it requires humility. If you are having a hard time receiving, ask the Lord to show you the root reason.
Another reason behind receiving is so that we may have to give. Jesus said, “Freely ye receive, freely give.” We receive the blessing in order to be a blessing. Just because we receive something, it does not mean we have to keep it. It may very well be something that we are to pass on to another. 2Corinthians 8:14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality. God blesses us so that we may also supply the need of another, and sometimes it works the other way around. But in it, there is fellowship between the giver and the receiver.
When one receives with the intent to give, there will be an increase. Let me illustrate this in a very simple way. If a person studies the Word of God with the intent to impart what is learned to others. he opens himself up to receive more from the Holy Spirit, because of the principle of sowing and reaping. If we are faithful stewards of what we receive, He is able to bless us with more, because we will bless more. He is able to entrust to us more. The more we horde, the more we lose; the more give the more we are given. In essence we can become a giver by becoming a good receiver, and we become a good receiver by becoming a good giver!
