[Biblemat] S) RECEIVING

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  Here is a study from my
files.  Use to the glory of God.

RECEIVING

     In a unique passage, the apostle Paul stated, "In every-
thing I showed you that by working hard in this manner you
must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord
Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than
to receive'" (Acts 20:35).  What is interesting about this verse
is that the Lord's quotation here is not found in any of the
gospels.  This does not mean that Jesus didn't say it nor did
Paul put words "into Jesus' mouth" by claiming He said things when He didn't. 
 We remember that John said that there were many other things that Jesus did 
that were not
recorded.  If they were all written down John claimed the
world would not be able to contain the books.  So it is not
surprising to us that Paul, through inspiration, refers to some-
thing Jesus said that the gospel writers never included in the
four accounts.

     Jesus said it is "more blessed to give than to receive."  I
want to consider the subject of receiving.  For many years I
have preached hard about giving and have taught the value
of being there for one another.  That is such an important
lesson.  But events in my personal life recently put me on the
receiving end of things.

     My daughter had an automobile accident and subsequent
hospitalization in ICU for several days turned my family into
the ones being visited in the hospital.  I have been on the 
other end of this equasion many times and have thought noth-
ing of sitting with a family while they are waiting for their loved ones to 
recover.  Such acts have become natural for me. 

     But I have found this receiving stuff much harder to take.
More than fifty people came to the hospital on the Saturday
we were there.  In the course of a few days there were flowers, food, cards, 
calls, emails and prayers from all over
the country.  We were overwhelmed.  And in the process, I
learned some things about receiving.

     It's Hard To Receive: -- It's hard to think that people would
give up a Saturday and not just visit a hospital but stay there
most of the day.  I know what people do on Saturdays and I 
feld bad for their sacrifice.  But receivers need to understand
that givers do this out of love.  People come because they
want to come.  Those of us on the receiving end need to 
accept the kindness, love and goodwill of the givers.  Receiv-
ers do not feel that they are worthy of such attention and it
feels awkward, at times, to be the recipient of such an out-
pouring.  But we must learn to accept.  Such selfless acts by
others comforts the heart and reassures the needy one in so
many ways.

     I Learned What It Means When People Say They Are Pray-
ing For You: -- I must have heard that expression a hundred
times that weekend but what comfort it gives.  Prayer is pow-
erful.  Prayer works.  And when the heart is worried about a 
loved one, it is great to know that God is hearing about this
over and over as many people are praying.  It is wonderful to
let others know that you are praying for them.

     Receivers Feel Somewhat Obligated To Givers: -- Saying
"thank you" doesn't seem to be equal to the good that givers
have done.  You can't put a price tag on kindness and gener-
osity.  There is nothing more that can be done other than
being thankful.  And that is enough.

     Receivers Know The Value Of Giving More Than Anyone
Else: -- I am ready to be on the giving side of the stick again.
I have learned so much in this ordeal.  Doctors are often slow
and test results can take an agonizing long time to complete
and family members become anxious.  I know.  But I also know how the heart 
leaps with joy when a fellow Christian
comes by to "see how things are going."  Receivers make 
good givers -- especially when they've been on the other side
(and most have).

     God Calls Upon Us To Do Both: -- If you have never been
a receiver, your day will come.  Learn from it.  And when it is
not your day, be the giver that makes a difference.  Never
underestimate the good that is done by a card, call or a visit.
We touch, we help, we comfort, we strengthen when we are
doing the blessed work of giving.  Paul said the Macedonians
"first gave themselves to the Lord" (2 Cor. 8:5).  That is where it all 
begins!      -------- Roger Shouse in Biblical Insights, Vol. 6, No. 8, Aug. 2006.
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