"Rise by giving"

Monday April 12, 2021

"Rise by giving"

I didn't want anybody's money or gold or clothes. Acts of the Apostles 20.33

An illustrated cover of the magazine Hope had these words as a commentary : It depicted a man in a balloon releasing ballast. I found this illustration extremely telling... but well against the grain of our civilization.

Today, at least with us, we believe we rise by surrounding ourselves with material goods. And advertising "goes all out" to provoke lust. It is also true that the rich have many friends, whereas the poor are hateful even to their friend. This is what Solomon already saw (Proverbs 14:20) almost three thousand years ago. But what value does this elevation have in the eyes of men ? A life here below is so fleeting ! And we know very well that in the grave no one will be able to take anything away. Jesus also said : whoever exalts himself will be humbled... (Luke 18.14).

True greatness, on the contrary, comes from humility, which most often results in the gift of oneself and one's goods. It is by releasing ballast - by giving - that one rises. Now, there is happiness in giving, much more than in receiving, also said Jesus (Acts of the Apostles 20:35).

God gave the most perfect example of this by making himself like us in Jesus Christ in the most total degradation, to give himself to the point of dying for our salvation.

Will we continue to want to acquire in order to be considered men or will we follow Christ ?

Richard Douliere

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Proposed reading : Acts of the Apostles, chapter 20, verses 32 to 35.

20.32 And now, brethren, I commit you to God and to the message of his grace, which is in power to build up and to give you an inheritance with all the saints.

20.33 I did not desire anybody's silver, nor gold, nor clothing.

20.34 You yourselves know that these saints have provided for me and those of my companions.

20.35 In all, I have shown you that it is necessary to work in this way to support the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, since to himself said : There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.

Source (Live Today)