"It is more blessed to give than to receive"

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Runningman

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In Acts20:35 Paul quoted Jesus as saying " It is more blessed to give than to receive."

According to my research, Jesus neither said that, suggested it, or described giving being more blessed than receiving anywhere in the gospels.

Is Paul paraphrasing something Jesus said from one or more of the gospels? If yes, then please quote that verse.

Is Paul quoting a book, letter, or epistle that we do not have in our modern canonized Bible?

Being a prophet, is Paul quoting something Jesus said to him in a divine revelation from God?

Acts 20:35 KJV
. 35I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Paul seems to be speaking of the words of Jesus that would have been common knowledge to the audience he was speaking to. Advising them to bringto memory again, to remember, the words of Jesus. That means that they would have heard the words of Jesus at least once time before? I want to know from which source they heard those words. Specifically, where did they hear "It is more blessed to give than to receive?"
 
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TheLearner

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Do you want my mailing address to send me a check Brother, friend?

I agree with you. But, hummor is the shortest way between two people. See the book of cookies.
 
walknlight

walknlight

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John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

God Bless!
 
Artios1

Artios1

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It has either been altered… although a cursory glance shows it has not.

Is it a paroemia that was a common in that time that Jesus may have used.... but is not recorded? ......I don't know.

Jhn 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

The one thing we can know for sure is that Jesus did say it ....even if it is not recorded in the gospels, it is recorded in Acts….. and those are the Words of Jesus Christ.

Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
 
Snacks

Snacks

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“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”

Seems like it’s better to give than receive.
 
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Runningman

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walknlight said:
John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

God Bless!
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I've thinking about this more since I posted this. The words of Jesus "It is more blessed to give than to receive" was almost certainly recorded somewhere other than Acts 20:35. The people Paul was speaking to in Acts 20:35 would have "remembered" the words Jesus said when Paul reminded them. So I honestly don't think John 21:25 applies here, but thank you for bringing that verse up. That was a good shot at trying to explain this mystery.
 
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TheIndianGirl

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#7
The Bible routinely says that we need to give, and that it is good to give.

I have not read too much on whether it is good to receive, but I have not looked into this either.

But the Bible does say what we think of as blessings are good, especially in the Old Testament, and the more blessings the better basically.

(Personally I believe many people use the term "blessing" in the wrong way. Jesus specifies who is blessed in the Beatitudes).

So, that leads me to believe it is good to receive as well. However, it is better if our mindset is set to give more than to expect blessings (blessings, as defined in the Old Testament).
 
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Runningman

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Snacks said:
“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”

Seems like it’s better to give than receive.
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I don't know. You could be right here. but the more I think about this the more I think that Paul wasn't paraphrasing or deducing what Jesus meant by reading between the lines.

I think Paul gave a direct quote by Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" and the people he told would have remembered it. I think it was either something that went around orally among the church or it was written somewhere else.
 
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Runningman

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TheIndianGirl said:
The Bible routinely says that we need to give, and that it is good to give.

I have not read too much on whether it is good to receive, but I have not looked into this either.

But the Bible does say what we think of as blessings are good, especially in the Old Testament, and the more blessings the better basically.

(Personally I believe many people use the term "blessing" in the wrong way. Jesus specifies who is blessed in the Beatitudes).

So, that leads me to believe it is good to receive as well. However, it is better if our mindset is set to give more than to expect blessings (blessings, as defined in the Old Testament).
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Excellent points, however Jesus often talked about the relationship between giving and receiving often explaining that if you want to receive you need to either just ask or give something in exchange. In every circumstance there's a reason such as receiving a blessing from God or getting something in return. I'll show just a few examples, but there's many more just like this:

To receive access to the kingdom you must give:
Matthew 25:34-35 KJV
34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

If you want to receive something just ask; if you want to receive forgiveness then give forgiveness:
Mark 11:24-26 KJV
24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

To receive blessings, give blessings:
Luke 6:38 KJV
38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
 
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TheIndianGirl

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#10
#10
TheIndianGirl said:
The Bible routinely says that we need to give, and that it is good to give.

I have not read too much on whether it is good to receive, but I have not looked into this either.

But the Bible does say what we think of as blessings are good, especially in the Old Testament, and the more blessings the better basically.

(Personally I believe many people use the term "blessing" in the wrong way. Jesus specifies who is blessed in the Beatitudes).

So, that leads me to believe it is good to receive as well. However, it is better if our mindset is set to give more than to expect blessings (blessings, as defined in the Old Testament).
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Many people define everything they have/received as a blessing, such as a house, job, food, even a laptop. These are what I consider blessings as defined in the Old Testament (I believe the definition of blessing changed/was clarified in the New Testament, as Jesus essentially told the rich man and the disciples to give away these things). However, I believe if we received these items then they could still be considered blessings but note that ultimately these items don't matter and what is considered more important are the blessings received as defined in the Beatitudes).
 
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Runningman

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TheLearner said:
Do you want my mailing address to send me a check Brother, friend?

I agree with you. But, hummor is the shortest way between two people. See the book of cookies.
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Yeah if you are hungry, homeless, without clothes, sick, etc, I'll find a way to get you taken care of. LoL but I have a feeling you're just playing around. :LOL:
 
studentoftheword

studentoftheword

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Runningman said:
According to my research, Jesus neither said that, suggested it, or described giving being more blessed than receiving anywhere in the gospels.
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I say ---Well I think you need to understand what this actually means -------God's Promise is --if you give you will receive back what you give ---that is the true message -----God blesses one when they Give --so giving is better than receiving in the way Paul describes in Acts ---as Paul is saying that he never was in want of others money or Clothes as God provided his needs and more---- to give out to the needy -----when you give you receive from God not other people ----

When you receive something from Others ---they get the Blessing --not you -----so it is better to give than receive

Now that being said --------there is protocol to follow to receive the Blessing when you give --it doesn't just happen ----for example ----you give with a cheerful heart ---and the right motive ---and God knows your motive and your heart when you give ------


Acts 20:32-35
Easy-to-Read Version

32 “Now I am putting you in God’s care. I am depending on the message about his grace to make you strong. That message is able to give you the blessings that God gives to all his holy people.

33 When I was with you, I never wanted anyone’s money or fine clothes.

34 You know that I always worked to take care of my own needs and the needs of the people who were with me.

35 I always showed you that you should work just as I did and help people who are weak. I taught you to remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘You will have a greater blessing when you give than when you receive.’”
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I say ------Jesus is speaking here ------You can never out give God -Folks-----Give and it will be given back to you from God's Blessings -----better to give than receive -----



Luke 6:37-38

Easy-to-Read Version

Be Careful About Criticizing Others
37 “Don’t judge others, and God will not judge you. Don’t condemn others, and you will not be condemned. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.

38 Give to others, and you will receive. You will be given much. It will be poured into your hands—more than you can hold. You will be given so much that it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you.”
 
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Runningman

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Mar 4, 2020
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studentoftheword said:
I say ---Well I think you need to understand what this actually means -------God's Promise is --if you give you will receive back what you give ---that is the true message -----God blesses one when they Give --so giving is better than receiving in the way Paul describes in Acts ---as Paul is saying that he never was in want of others money or Clothes as God provided his needs and more---- to give out to the needy -----when you give you receive from God not other people ----

When you receive something from Others ---they get the Blessing --not you -----so it is better to give than receive

Now that being said --------there is protocol to follow to receive the Blessing when you give --it doesn't just happen ----for example ----you give with a cheerful heart ---and the right motive ---and God knows your motive and your heart when you give ------


Acts 20:32-35
Easy-to-Read Version

32 “Now I am putting you in God’s care. I am depending on the message about his grace to make you strong. That message is able to give you the blessings that God gives to all his holy people.

33 When I was with you, I never wanted anyone’s money or fine clothes.

34 You know that I always worked to take care of my own needs and the needs of the people who were with me.

35 I always showed you that you should work just as I did and help people who are weak. I taught you to remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘You will have a greater blessing when you give than when you receive.’”
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I say ------Jesus is speaking here ------You can never out give God -Folks-----Give and it will be given back to you from God's Blessings -----better to give than receive -----



Luke 6:37-38

Easy-to-Read Version

Be Careful About Criticizing Others
37 “Don’t judge others, and God will not judge you. Don’t condemn others, and you will not be condemned. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.

38 Give to others, and you will receive. You will be given much. It will be poured into your hands—more than you can hold. You will be given so much that it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you.”
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Noted.

What's your view on these verses? Is the gift greater than the reward?

Is it more blessed to receive entrance into the Kingdom of God than to give momentary reprieve from the discomforts of thirst and hunger in this mortal coil?
Matthew 25:34-35 KJV
34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Is it more blessed to give other humans forgiveness or to receive forgiveness from Lord God Almighty?
Mark 11:24-26 KJV
24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
 
studentoftheword

studentoftheword

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Runningman said:
Is it more blessed to receive entrance into the Kingdom of God than to give momentary reprieve from the discomforts of thirst and hunger in this mortal coil?[/QUOTE

Well---- I view this that you say here about being Blessed to receive entrance into the Kingdom of God as not a Blessing ----but a personal choice -------now that being said -----God through His Grace which comes through faith made Salvation available which would for me would be a blessing that He would want to make a way of Happiness for anyone who wishes to accept His free gift of entering His Kingdom

-----
From KJV Dictionary
blessing

BLESS'ING, ppr. Making happy; wishing happiness to;prosperous;
Any means of happiness; a gift,benefit or advantage;that which promotes temporal prosperity and welfare, or secures immortal felicity.


I say --so understanding what this word means is needed -------so like Blessings of God's Promises are ---health ----defeat of enemies ----prosperity in your life --------Protection ----- etc ----

The Greek word for Prosperity ---is

Strong's #6743: tsalach
to advance, prosper, make progress, succeed, be profitable
to prosper to make prosperous, bring to successful issue, cause to prosper

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Runningman said:
Is it more blessed to give other humans forgiveness or to receive forgiveness from Lord God Almighty?
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I say -------Again I do not think of us Forgiving others as a blessing --I view it as a Command from God --We are commanded to forgive --
As far as receiving Forgiveness from God --is not a Blessing but is a conditional result from our choice to accept God's free gift of Salvation -----

So this is just how I see this ----you are welcome to believe as you wish ------and to disagree

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I personally think that people have a very bad view as to what prosperity is -----

God's wish is for all His children to prosper -----it is not just about money or material things -----it is about success in all aspects of our lives -----Marriages will prosper ----Succeed -------the person's health will prosper -----Wellness and wholeness in their body --mind and spirit will be there----success in everything you put your hands to will be there -----God's Blessing is all about prosperity -------

Read Deuteronomy 28 ----these blessings are still in place today for God's Children -------
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