Giving and receiving are two words flogged and perhaps over-flogged in our time. We literally receive or give daily and we are cajoled, manipulated, deceived, influenced, taught, guided or even encouraged to give daily. While there is a widespread reach in the art of giving and subsequently receiving; there is equally a widespread ignorance of the mystery of giving and receiving.
In the past, I have shared my understanding of the mystery of giving and receiving, so if you want to know more about giving and receiving; try and find some to read up (or listen to).
Listen To Podcast: THE TRUTH ABOUT GIVING
However, I would be sharing another perspective to giving and receiving, which would help us to better grasp the concept and then apply the law without being religious or ignorant.
I found a Scripture that dramatized the cruciality of giving and receiving; in fact, once you read that Scripture, you would discover how the two words always go together in any context or circumstance. You would see that if only you give, you will receive; and it is what you give that determines what you receive. Let us now delve straight into it:
Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.
Acts 3:1-8
If you look carefully at the verses we just read, you would notice the interplay between giving and receiving. While certain actions were a bit spontaneous, they nevertheless show that giving and receiving isn't mere behavioral pattern, but a spiritual law at work.
While the lame man seemed to be in need, he needed also to give something before he could receive anything from anyone. The first obvious thing he gave was his REQUEST, and then, he gave his ATTENTION. Although, what he gave seem insignificant to us today, those things became the foundation for his daily living and ultimately, his deliverance and healing. He comes to the beautiful gate daily to ASK for ALMS; so if you see him go back home daily with some silver coins or gold coins, you must understand that WHAT HE HAD was simply WHAT HE ASKED. If at any moment he needed to change what he received, he must then change what he gave.
Since the lame man gave his attention to Peter and John, they became compelled to also give him what they had. While they RECEIVED attention and request for alms from the lame man; they opted to GIVE healing and deliverance to the lame man. Of course, the lame man didn't request for healing; however, because they didn't hold any silver or gold on them at the said time, they decided to change the outcome of the GIVING and RECEIVING spectrum. But the point is clear, if you give, you must receive. It does not matter what you give, something must be giving back to you for your giving. If you therefore detest the things you RECEIVE lately, perhaps you have been RECEIVING shame, insults, abuse, rejection, failure, illnesses or deceptions; I will advice you to check what you have been GIVING out to others lately – for the law of giving cannot be broken, not even for you!
