Relationships are all about giving and receiving. We live in a selfish environment in which receiving is often valued above giving - this, despite our Lord's statement, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). When we think of giving, too often we think of giving "things" when really the best gift is the giving of self. As a French proverb says, "He gives nothing who does not give himself."

Jesus is the prime example of a selfless giver. What an understatement it was when the apostle Paul wrote, "He gave gifts to men" (Eph. 4:8). Each use of His miraculous power, His compassion, His mercy, and His life was a gift of part of Him. Notice how many times Jesus' use of His powers was prompted by His compassion as He saw the plight of the unfortunate.

Perhaps the primary purpose of His miracles was to prove who He was and to confirm the word that He taught, but He could have done this in other ways. When He saw the sick, "He was moved with compassion for them, and He healed their sick" (Matt. 14:14). When two blind men called out to Him for mercy, "Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes" (Matt. 20:34). In healing a man with leprosy - one who, according to the Law of Moses, was not to be touched - "Jesus, moved with compassion, put out His hand and touched him" (Mark 14:41). Observing a widow who was grieving over the loss of her only son, "He had compassion on her and said to her, 'Do not weep'" before raising the young man from the dead (Luke 7:13). Jesus' feeding of thousands with a few loaves and fishes was prompted by "compassion on the multitude" because they had followed Him for days with nothing to eat (Matt. 15:32). 

Even Jesus' teaching was prompted by His compassion. "And Jesus, when He came out, saw the multitude and was moved with com- passion for them because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things" (Mark 6:34).

As His disciples, we need to learn the art of giving ourselves away. The marvelous thing about the giving of oneself is that it will result in us being blessed for doing so. There's a "reward" which comes from personal sacrifice. "He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses" (Prov. 28:27). Even Jesus is rewarded for His giving of Himself. Each time a sinner accepts His redemptive gift of salvation, "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God" (Luke 15:10). Each first day of the week glory is given to Jesus as we gather with other Christians to "proclaim the Lord's death" (1 Cor. 11:26).

Most of us are involved in a number of relationships, all of which provide ample opportunity for us to give ourselves away.

Whenever there is giving, there is also receiving. When we are in genuine need of help, we must be willing to allow others to give of themselves to us. This may require the receiver to swallow pride in order to accept help. To refuse help when it is needed is to deny others of the reward they receive from giving of themselves.

However, neither should we be satisfied to always be on the receiving end. We need to "pass it forward." Then, and only then, will we experience the truth of our Lord's statement, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." One of the greatest barriers to contentment in this life is our reluctance to make sacrifices for the good of others and particularly for the good of Christ and His church. Try giving yourself away!

- thinkonthesethings.com