It is better to give than receive. Do you remember where that is in the Bible? It’s a trick question – it’s actually a quote of Saint Francis of Assisi. But the concept is very much rooted in Scripture.
Listen to this from the book of Proverbs:
One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give and only suffers want. A liberal man will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
And this from Saint Paul's second letter to the Corinthians:
Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. God made us for love and to love. We do that most effectively when we sacrifice self interest and become a self gift. Yes, it is enjoyable to receive gifts and to have our love reciprocated. Yet think back to your childhood and Christmas time, when you matured from wanting presents to the joy of watching others open your gifts. Cultivating a giving heart is at the root of a new life in Christ.
Let’s pray – Father of Grace and Mercy – you made us in love to love one another. Help us to recognize our unique gifts and talents, and plant within our hearts the grace to give those gifts to others in love, knowing it is truly better to give than to receive. Help us to sacrifice self interest and become a self gift, loving one another as you have loved us. Amen