We live in a world that is somewhat selfish. While there are many people that do a lot of giving and sharing, the overall mentality of the world is to put self first and then worry about others. The “me-first” mentality is very pervasive in our society, and it has an impact on how people treat one another.

As Christians, we are taught by the Word of God, as well as by our Savior, that we should be unselfish and benevolent toward others, realizing the value of all.

Philippians 2:3–4 (ESV)
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

We are all going to be concerned about our own interests in life, but we must not be so self-focused that we lose sight of the importance of giving to others around us. The willingness to give is a core characteristic of the saints of God. After all, the willingness of God to give is what brought Christianity into being in the first place.

John 3:16 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

What many fail to realize is that giving is more beneficial for the giver than for the receiver.

Acts 20:35 (ESV)
35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

We do not have record of Jesus saying this, but we know He did since Paul said He did. We do have Jesus telling His disciple that they had received without paying so they should be willing to give without getting paid (Matthew 10:8).

Why is it such a blessing to give? For one, there is a natural good feeling that one experiences when seeing the joy of the person to which he or she gives. The joy of the receiver causes a reciprocation of joy to the giver; thus, the more one gives, the more joy he receives himself.

Those who give to others are also blessed by God, not only now, but with the reward of heaven, if the giver is a faithful child of God who gives with the right motive. This is what Jesus said about it.

Matthew 25:34–36 (ESV)
34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

It is also a blessing to give because it puts us in great company. There has never been a better giver than Christ. He gave all He had to give for man and our highest aim should be to be like Him.Let us not fall into the trap of thinking like the world. Putting oneself before everyone else may be what is encouraged by the world, but in the kingdom of God it is not a virtue. Remember, in the kingdom, the first will be last, and the last will be first (Matthew 19:30).

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.