"It is better to give, than to receive."

Do you know the origin of this quote?  Ya should, that is if you read your Bible.  This ‘proverb’ actually has been transliterated from something the Gospel writer Luke, penned in his other book, The Acts of the Apostles, or simply, Acts.  The latter part of verse 20:35, which he quoted from the Apostle Paul who quoted from Jesus, is essentially this modern day reminder that the heart of a giver is rewarded much more than one of a receiver.

Today’s Fayetteville Church devotional (which I referenced each of these past few days) is titled "Choosing Faith over Fine Things".  And upon reflection after reading it (By the way, if any of you reading this do not belong to The Fayetteville Church (TFC), you can download each of the week-long 'daily devotionals' from the church website: TheFayettevilleChurch.org), I was reminded of the poor, and how ‘fine things’ to them may be completely different than what we might consider ‘fine’.  A lot of Americans are into electronics….iPads, iPods, computers, netBooks, Kindles, Xboxes, Wiis, etc.  These are considered by many to be fine gifts to receive (and give).  But for most of the world, these technical wonders don’t even come into the minds of children and grownups.  Many simply want to receive food, clothing or shelter, as many places throughout the world are filled with starving, cold and dying people with little to no income.  For them, it is better to receive than to give, as they have so little to give, but NEED so much.

We’re challenged by TFC to do nice things for others in our community, especially during this holiday season.  But, to take that a bit further, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to give the gift of life to some of the really poor people in the world?  There are hundreds of agencies available to us whose main mission is to provide for the poorest and neediest people in the world.  One that immediately comes to mind is Hope Worldwide, and they accept donations at any time of the year.  Their website is found by typing in ‘hopeww.org’ in the URL of your computer, iPad or smart phone.  And monetary donations are so easy to do….simply click on their ‘Donate Now’ button and follow the prompts.  You can be assured that this extremely helpful organization will properly use your donations to give ‘nice things’ to those who have no need of iPhones, Gameboys or computers, but rather are suffering from malnutrition, disease and loneliness.

The Bible is pretty plain on the ‘art’ of giving to those in need.  Here are a few Scriptures to help us get in the giving mode to those who really need our help:

PROVERBS 14:31. He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

PROVERBS 19:17. He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.

PROVERBS 28:27. He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.

ISAIAH 58:7. Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

ACTS 10:4. Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.

ISAIAH 41:17. "The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

If God will not forsake the poor, why should we?  If you take the time to give to someone in true need (not a child who ‘thinks’ he needs an iPad), then you will once again discover the glorious feeling as described in the saying, "It is better to give than to  receive".