Why Does Receiving Feel So Good, but Giving Does Not?

“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.’”

Acts 20:35

The Bible tells us that it is better to give than to receive. But then why does it sometimes feel so much easier to receive gifts, and so painful to give them?

This morning, while waiting for the kettle to boil, I was scrolling through Facebook trying to figure out what I would write about today. A post popped up with these words: *“As I grow older, I’m starting to realize that it’s better to receive than to give.”* Of course, there’s more to the story—this was posted in a Christian group, and the poster was looking for guidance and correction about how they were feeling. But let’s just focus on this part.

Paul reminds us in Acts that it is better to give than to receive. Yet honestly, in a world where so many people live in poverty, and where shoving money into people’s hands and faces is often the only way we know how to show kindness, it makes sense why this verse might sting. But something I loved—and had never thought about before reading the comments this morning—was that money and material things are not the only gifts you are allowed or expected to give to others.

In a world that is so lonely and in desperate need of connection, there are many ways to help each other out, such as:

Emotional support: With so many people being diagnosed daily with some sort of mental or physical illness, you never know who you might run into or what challenges they may be facing. Although a stranger might not always admit they have bipolar disorder, multiple personality disorder, cancer, or TB, simply being there for a moment to chat could make the difference between them sinking deeper into despair or seeing a glimmer of hope—even just for a moment.

Volunteering at charities: Volunteering at a local charity is a great way to help your community. It also helps you realize that while you may feel you’re struggling, there is always someone struggling more—and sometimes with a better attitude toward their circumstances than you have toward your own.

Helping someone on the streets: I remember when we lived in the city, we would pass homeless people and vendors daily who were trying to make an honest living. Many people judge them (I did too, in my younger days). My comments used to be: *“They’re on drugs,”* *“Why don’t they ask for a job instead of begging?”* or *“If we help them, they’ll get used to it and depend on us.”* Sound familiar? Yes, those statements may sometimes be true. But did you ever stop to give them a chance? Sometimes bad things happen to good people. We often ask why God allows this. The simple truth is that God is a storyteller, and although we don’t always see the end of the story, every person we meet—no matter how small—has an impact not just on our lives but on at least six other people, including the vendor or beggar who knocks on your window. Next time, take a moment to ask the person you feel tempted to judge a few questions about how they ended up where they are. Think of ways to help them—it doesn’t always have to cost you financially, just a little effort.

Sharing a meal: So often we sit on a park bench or at a restaurant enjoying a delicious meal, but we don’t notice the person nearby yearning for just a bite to eat—who later digs through the trash when they think no one is looking. Next time you think of throwing food away—whether cooked, expired, or simply something you don’t like—remember that someone else might be able to eat what you consider trash. An expiry date on a label doesn’t always mean the food is unsafe; it’s often just a way for supermarkets to protect themselves and encourage you to spend more money.

You see, giving doesn’t always have to be about money you think you don’t have. It’s about making a sacrifice of your own—like Christ dying on the cross for us. Giving is sacrifice. And although our flesh may say this is painful, seeing the joy of others can be even more rewarding than eating that McDonald’s burger you were looking forward to, or going to a sports game instead of helping a local church hand out food parcels and donations.