Acts 20:35 (NIV) states, "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 himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive' "

"Give/Giving" is mentioned in the Bible 1,433 times. That tells us right off that "giving" is a great priority of the Lord and must likewise, be prioritized in our life. There are millions of generous givers in the world, and there are those who are greedy holding on to everything, seemingly thinking they can take it with them. Not so says the Lord. Job mentioned this reality in Job chapter 1:20 (NIV) " .Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart " That is the reality that the mass accumulation of wealth will not be carried into eternity. Thus "giving" becomes a main component of Christianity.

Then there are millions who are not gracious receivers. I was one of those people for many years. I would literally give someone the "shirt off my back", "give away the store" and give of my means beyond common sense. However, receiving from others was an entirely different side of who I was .a dark side. Many of us do not feel "worthy" of receiving. We want to be the ones to "give." Why is that? My answer is "pride." Proverbs 16:18 (NIV) tells us, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." We must be extremely careful about pride. Pride destroys lives, homes, jobs, frienships, etc. I think we can safely say that wrongful pride is one of the gravest stumbling blocks in our lives.

In looking at giving and receiving, we must realize that if there are no "gracious" receivers then there cannot be any "givers." They are a pair. God intends for giving and receiving to go hand in hand. We are to give unto the Lord as we have prospered. We are to give unto those in need. We are to give our money, our time, our talents and gifts. I think the most important of all is to give of ourselves. If we fail to give of ourselves then any other "giving" will only be empty words in our "Book of Life."

So, what does God expect of us in "giving?" God expects us to give of our "firstfruits" not of the leftover crumbs. When we commit our lives to the Lord, we must commit our all in order for us to receive abundant blessings from His bountiful hand. Therefore, we can never give enough, for we cannot purchase God and a place in the glorious mansions prepared for us. We must give our all .our all is our very best.

Go today, giving your best to those you meet, in a smile, a kind word, holding a door, helping someone in need. Be cheerful in your giving today, for the blessings you receive will be much greater than the "giving" you do.

Be blessed in Him today, this day, your gift from our Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.