Jesus and His disciples were on a journey from Judea to Galilee. and He chose a route usually avoided by Jews which was much shorter than the longer one on the other side of the Jordan. The weary group had travelled all day when they arrived at a well near the city of Samaria. The disciples went into the city to obtain food while Jesus remained at the well. A woman came to draw water from the well, and Jesus did something that no self-respecting Jew would ever do, He asked her for a drink. He really did not need her help, then why did He ask this favor? Jesus' request opened the way for a friendly conversation which led to the woman's conversion. Jesus gave this woman the opportunity to give, knowing that this experience would be a blessing to her.
The disciples were instructed by Jesus to go forth as itinerant missionaries, going from door to door asking strangers for food and shelter. They were told to bless those who received them. Here again, we see the blessed results of receiving. Yes, the apostle Paul tells us that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and as a result we have developed a mind-set against receiving, as if there were something sinful and selfish in receiving gifts. In doing this we distort the meaning of this advice. Paul does not say it is not a blessed experience to receive, but that giving is more blessed.
Perhaps the greatest gift of all gifts is eternal life, the gift of salvation to all those who will receive it. Wouldn't you say that those who receive this gift are the most blessed individuals? Also, think what immense pleasure it must give Jesus to bestow this gift, and what intense grief it must cause Him when His gift is rejected. Really, when it comes right down to it, the joy of giving is to participate in the joy of the receiver.
Therefore, when we are tempted to reject a gift which is a sincere expression of friendship or affection, because of pride or a feeling of obligation, stop and think of the blessing you will receive by giving someone else the more blessed experience of giving. Yes, it is more blessed to give, but it is also blessed to receive.
