begging us earnestly for the favour of taking part in the relief of the saints— 

“In all of my years of service to my Lord, I have discovered a truth that has never failed and has never been compromised. That truth is that it is beyond the realm of possibilities that one has the ability to out give God. Even if I give the whole of my worth to Him, He will find a way to give back to me much more than I gave.” – Charles Spurgeon

David Pawson pointed out that the word ”begging” is normally associated with wanting and receiving, but in this case it is linked to giving – or the desire to give.

Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesian elders included these words:

” 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.’” Acts 20:35.

These words of Jesus are not recorded in the gospels, but they are in tune with everything we hear from Him and see of Him in their pages. In Paul’s quoted words, Jesus is stating a fact: ”It is more blessed to give than to receive.” This is not up for debate. It just is.

When we give, do we not find it to be true?

Like Spurgeon, we have no doubt also found that we cannot out give God. It was Spurgeon who also said:

“God has a way of giving by the cartloads to those who give away by shovelfuls.” – Charles Spurgeon

Nevertheless, giving in order to receive must not become our motive. The act of giving is in itself ”more blessed”.