Getting Rich by Giving Your Riches Away (But This Post is about Jesus, not Je$u$).

Mike Hosey, An Elder

“It is more blessed to give than receive,” is a very well-known scripture (Acts 20:35) in which Paul quotes Jesus to the church at Ephesus. But why would Paul or Jesus say something that seems so counter to the truth we experience in the world? Consistently, and perhaps inherently, most of us find receiving something good to be easy, pleasant and enjoyable, while we tend to find giving away something good, especially if it is something we’ve worked for (like money) to be difficult, unpalatable, and unenjoyable.

Well, the statement is true for a host of reasons.  One reason pops up in Proverbs chapter 11 (which has a few things to say about generosity.) The writer of Proverbs observed that there are at least two kinds of people.  There is one person who gives freely, and then counterintuitively, grows richer.  And then there is another who withholds what he has, and is always in want.  The same writer also noticed that those who bring blessings are enriched, and that those who refresh others will also be refreshed (Proverbs 11:24-25). So, one reason that giving is better than receiving is that giving has a return on investment. When you give, your life will be enriched in some way.

Another reason is that your most important bank isn’t here on this planet.  Your most important bank, which holds your most important assets, is in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). That verse tells us that we should store up treasures in that bank, and also that wherever our treasure resides, so does our heart. If you find treasure in doing the will of God, then your heart will follow suit and your heavenly bank account will get fat.

Finally, our giving builds up the body of Christ, and enriches others so that they, too, can build up the body of Christ and thereby advance the kingdom of God.  When you give of your money, your time, and your talents you are helping another member to grow, which in turn strengthens everyone else, and you may be helping snatch someone from the grip of sin and the gates of hell!

Your return on investment may (or may not) include money, but it will always include something far greater than money.  True giving will bring you closer to Jesus, make you more like him, and ultimately will erase your desire for Je$u$.