Giving and Receiving

Jesus is an example for us in many ways regarding how we should live. Some things He did are finished works now, so not everything He did is included in the list of things I need to do, but much of His attitude and values system and purpose should be influencing my life and my work.

One part of the economy and justice systems of heaven that needs to affect my life is the section in which the question of whether something is fair to me or not becomes irrelevant. If I have to work 53 hours to earn the amount of money that the Spirit tells me one day I need to give to someone, what it cost me to get into the position of being a blessing should only be measured in terms of the privilege I have received as a servant of the King by being invited into one of His projects. In fact, it is frequently a greater blessing for me to be the one who gave than the one who received.

“And now I commit you to God and to the message of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my needs, and for those who were with me. In every way I’ve shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
(Acts 20:32-35 HCSB ©®)