We often hear Jesus’ words quoted, “It’s more blessed to give than receive.”
In our materialistic world, that’s a good thing to be reminded of.
But consider this: Might it be just as blessed to receive?
Imagine offering a gift to someone. You genuinely want to give that person this gift.
But she refuses. “No, thank you,” she says, even though in her eyes you sense she would really like to say yes.
How do you feel?
Now, imagine offering your gift to someone who receives it with delight and gratitude.
Don’t you feel blessed in the second case?
If we refuse a gift someone offers us, we rob them of the joy of giving. We break the cycle: gift offered, gift received, receiver blessed, giver blessed from receiver’s gratitude.
We have just come from the special day of Thanksgiving. In some ways, isn’t Thanksgiving about receiving? To acknowledge God’s blessings is to receive them fully. Our gratitude is our act of receiving that blesses God, even as He has blessed us.
In this season on giving, let us not only give with joy, but receive with joy as well. Let us remember to complete the beautiful giving cycle … whichever end we’re on.