Living A Generous LifeSample

It’s Better to Give than Receive 

Following Jesus means being different from the culture around you, and if you’re generous the way Jesus asks us to be—you’re going to be very different! The world tells us to hoard our stuff and that everything is all about us, but following Jesus means surrendering our lives to Him. That can seem a little overwhelming, and it certainly may get you some haters. But the truth is, giving is actually better than getting. 

Today, we’ll read that Jesus Himself said it’s better to give than receive. Not only is it a way to worship God and give our hearts to Him, but it’s also a way we can be free from the burden of our stuff. 

If you’re skeptical about it being better, think about this. What was the best gift you’ve ever received? How did you feel after getting it? What about a month later? A year? 

Now, think about the best gift you’ve ever given someone else. How did you feel about giving it? What about a month or a year later? 

Odds are, you felt way better about giving than getting. Why? Because we were created in the image of God, and God is a generous God. So, when we choose to be generous, we’re becoming more of who God created us to be. 

Remember: happiness doesn’t come from what we get, but from what we give. The temporary high from new stuff can’t surpass the joy of giving to someone else.  

Challenge: Think of something generous you can do for someone, and go do it. It could be writing an encouraging note to a friend, getting a gift for someone at school, or serving your parents by doing a chore you know they hate to do.