That phrase is often used in our secular world in a negative context; for example, in a third-person perspective of “[person] gives negative comments as effectively as those being dished out against [him/her/them]“… And so often the case is that we are proud of the fact that we can lambast another with a slur that tops whatever they said against us.
But… what if? What if this season we turn that around and flip it into a POSITIVE mindset? What if we were to build others up (see Ephesians 4:29), rather than tearing them down? What if we were to focus on what could make things better, instead of focusing on what does (or could) make things worse?
What if we were to GIVE hope, encouragement, trust, kindness, compassion, and care? And what if we were to become an example of that type of giving – all year ‘round? Would that make a difference in our world?
As we’ve been studying the Acts of the Apostles, we recently came across the following passage from
Acts 20:35 (ESV):
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
As you (hopefully) still have the remnants of Giving Thanks on top of mind, meditate also now on what God has given you (John 3:16),
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
So, my encouragement for you this day, this month, this year (and the next) is to give an example, as the Apostle Paul did for us, and to remember that to ‘Give as good as you get’ also means you need to realize just how much you have been blessed – to the point of receiving eternal life… in paradise… with Christ Jesus!
Give even as it has been given to you… in Christ,
Pastor Jim Kirschenmann
But… what if? What if this season we turn that around and flip it into a POSITIVE mindset? What if we were to build others up (see Ephesians 4:29), rather than tearing them down? What if we were to focus on what could make things better, instead of focusing on what does (or could) make things worse?
What if we were to GIVE hope, encouragement, trust, kindness, compassion, and care? And what if we were to become an example of that type of giving – all year ‘round? Would that make a difference in our world?
As we’ve been studying the Acts of the Apostles, we recently came across the following passage from
Acts 20:35 (ESV):
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
As you (hopefully) still have the remnants of Giving Thanks on top of mind, meditate also now on what God has given you (John 3:16),
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
So, my encouragement for you this day, this month, this year (and the next) is to give an example, as the Apostle Paul did for us, and to remember that to ‘Give as good as you get’ also means you need to realize just how much you have been blessed – to the point of receiving eternal life… in paradise… with Christ Jesus!
Give even as it has been given to you… in Christ,
Pastor Jim Kirschenmann
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