Human Flourishing Through Giving: Why Jesus Said It Is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive

Acts 20:35

35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (NIV)

Human flourishing is the term modern philosophers have used to describe the telos of humanity. We exist to thrive, but how does this happen? What causes one life to be fulfilling and wonderful? What might be a logical way to create a fulfilling life? These questions have been asked for centuries. Aristotle said this:

“Every art and every inquiry, and likewise every action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good; and for this reason, the good has rightly been declared to be that at which all things aim.”

His point is that the human being naturally aims at what is perceived to be good. But we only have to look at social media for a few minutes or at pop culture to see that what people believe is good isn't always good. This is why Jesus claimed to be the way, the truth, and the life. He is the true way to a fulfilling life. His way is the only way to the good of life. He teaches us the values, behaviors, attitudes, and words required to experience an abundant life.

In our passage today, Paul is recalling Christ, summarizing this path toward everything that is good, as a life that prioritizes giving more than getting. Human flourishing comes through giving.

The tension between giving and getting within the Christmas season is impossible to ignore. The vast majority of the world gives to others, while the most prevailing question presented in conversations is, “What do you want for Christmas?” We are doing a lot of giving within the milieu of getting. The result is that a holiday intended to honor Christ has become the greatest month of commercial frenzy each year. And in a lesser way, this could be said about the other eleven months in American or Western society. We give a lot, but the focus is more on getting. No wonder anxiety, depression, and bitterness continue to increase.

A mindset set on what one has and what one wants only draws attention to what one doesn’t have. Our culture of prioritizing what we get over what we give has become a constant reminder of what we lack and what we want. This easily leads to sadness or bitterness, and it creates anxiety about having to go out and get from this world what we realize we are lacking. But what if our primary question was not about what we want, but what and to whom we can give?

This new paradigm is overtly positive. Anything we have can be given away. We almost always have something to give, even if only a smile. We do not focus on what we don’t have, but on what we do. And as we give, we continually experience the joy of seeing the effect of our generosity on others. And this makes life better. It is truly more blessed to give than to receive.

Prayer: Lord, help me to focus on giving what I have instead of getting what I don’t. And lead me to a better life. Amen.