It Is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive
VBC Albuquerque · Jun 22, 2025
This sermon teaches about giving money and possessions as an expression of understanding God's grace. Jesus taught more about money than about heaven and hell combined, because one's perspective on wealth reveals where the heart places its priorities. True giving must flow from a willing, grateful heart, and from reconciliation with brothers and sisters, not from compulsion or reliance on one's own good works.
The sermon begins by demonstrating that Jesus taught about money and possessions more than any other subject in Scripture, even more than heaven and hell combined. In the four Gospels, approximately half of the parables (16 out of 38) relate to money and possessions, and about one-tenth of the 3,780 verses in the Gospels address this theme. This is the second subject Jesus taught about, second only to the kingdom of God. The sermon compares two significant stories: Zacchaeus and Mary with the alabaster jar of perfume, both showing that when a person is saved by Christ and has a genuine relationship with Him, their perspective on money and possessions inevitably changes.
The second section develops the theological argument about grace and giving through an analysis of 2 Corinthians 8. Paul writes about the churches in Macedonia, believers living in extreme poverty and suffering persecution from Roman imperial exploitation and tribulation because of their faith. Despite these circumstances, the Macedonian believers gave willingly and voluntarily, and even asked to contribute more. They could do this because they understood that everything they possessed came from Jesus Christ, who though rich became poor for their sake. Grace—a gift undeservedly received—transforms the giver's attitude from obligation to willing joy, from resentment to gratitude.
The third section applies the message to the congregation's practical life by emphasizing three essential elements of true giving. First, giving must flow from a willing and joyful heart, not from reluctance or coercion; it expresses our recognition that Jesus Christ is Lord of all we possess. Second, before presenting our offering, we must examine ourselves, acknowledge our sin, and not presume ourselves righteous like the Pharisee in the parable. Third, we must seek reconciliation with our brothers and sisters before giving, because giving concerns not only our relationship with God, but also our relationships with one another. God sanctifies our offering only when the Church obeys Christ's teaching: to bear with one another, forgive one another, and be reconciled with one another.