A discussion began on my network forum in which a member posted the very widely accepted belief that "it is better to give than to receive". Certainly something we think about this time of year when giving goes full throttle - either from a spiritual standpoint or a commercial one.

I thought I would share my thoughts on this timely topic…

Giving and Receiving...yes, a topic relating to our core values.

Note the capital "G" and the capital "R" I used above. I have given importance to both.

Let's look at a dictionary definition of "better":

better (adjective) 1: greater than half; 2: improved in health or mental attitude; 3: more attractive, favorable, or commendable; 4: more advantageous or effective; 5: improved in accuracy or performance

For our purposes here, I suppose "better to give than receive" probably refers to numbers 3 and 4: favorable, commendable or more advantageous or effective.

Now let me give you questions to ponder:

~ Is it better to exhale than to inhale?

~ Is it better to be awake or to sleep?

~ Is it better to talk or to listen?

~ Is it better to speak to God/Universe/Creator (affirm/pray) or to listen to God/Universe/Creator (meditate)?

Which of the above are more favorable, commendable, advantageous or effective?

Think about this for a moment or two, before reading on.

Here is a quote that I placed below the title of Tithing Sets You Free, Lesson Five of the Feel Free to Prosper program:

The Law of Giving

The universe operates through dynamic exchange…
giving and receiving are different aspects
of the flow of energy in the universe.
And in our willingness to give that which we seek,
we keep the abundance of the universe circulating in our lives.

~ Deepok Chopra

So, if giving and receiving are both aspects of the flow of energy in the Universe, then how can one be "better" than the other? How can one exist without the other? How can we exhale if we don't inhale, and vice versa?

I am not a bible scholar and I don't want to bring religious discussion into this, as spiritual law encompasses all religions and no religion. However, the bible is filled with spiritual law and I am familiar with and quote certain scriptures that pertain to the teachings of these laws.

The biblical scripture does not say, "It is better to give..."

The scripture states, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

blessed (adjective): bringing pleasure, contentment or good fortune

In teaching about tithing, for example, I teach that one gives in order to set the flow of prosperity energy into motion. It is establishing our connection to Universal supply. It is the farmer planting his best seed to create a harvest. It is releasing (giving up) fear in order to create the space in our consciousness to receive.

~ The Universe/God is ready and willing to give us our supply. But if we cannot receive, then where is the blessing?

~ The seeds contain the gift within themselves, but if the soil is depleted and cannot receive, where is the blessing?

~ If our good wants to get through to us, to reach us, but fear is occupying our thoughts and emotions so that here is no room for it, then where is the blessing?

~ If we give to someone, but they do not feel deserving to receive, or are ungrateful, embarrassed or feel obligated, then where is the blessing?

So yes, giving IS a blessing and allows us to become individualized expressions of the Creator itself, however, we must come to a very definite realization that receiving is a very important part of giving. With no receiving, there is no giving.

When there is a gracious receiver, then the giver AND the receiver are blessed. Pleasure, contentment and good fortune are bestowed on both.

And a very good way to learn how to be a gracious receiver and open ourselves up to Universal supply is to learn to give to ourselves.

© Copyright 2004-2007 Marilyn Jenett
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