You can finish the sentence that is this title, can’t you?

It is more blessed to give than to receive.

It’s something we’ve heard all our lives, so perhaps the meaning has become a little watered down. Less poignant. Even cause for a little eye-rolling in this economy, with ever-rising costs and seemingly less and less income.

We were invited to a gala, last night, for Manegait, an equine therapy non-profit in the North Dallas area. I worried for them all day, as the weather forecast was rain and our first significant cold front, and the event was being held in their arena. It is a covered area, so it was going to go ahead regardless of the weather, but I feared their numbers would be way down. Few people like to get out in bad weather; I’ll even admit to looking wistfully at the fireplace and my Snuggie on the way out.

I needn’t have worried.

We turned into the drive and were absolutely STUNNED at the number of cars. We were met with legions of volunteers with umbrellas who led us to portable covered walkways and into a breathtaking “ballroom” on the packed-sand arena floor. It was thundering and pouring, yet people were everywhere, milling about in their cowboy boots, laughing and hugging and bidding on silent auction items.

They were all responsive to the live auction, too. They listened to stories of the many young lives and families being affected by this impressive program, and gave money, not only for the riders, but for the horses themselves. Their feed, their vet bills, their foot care. On and on, the people gave, enjoying every minute of it.

It was a reminder to me that we are born to give. We were created to care and to love, and everything we do is supposed to support that. It doesn’t matter what the outer circumstances are; they should have no bearing on our ability to give because giving stems from the heart. It’s a sacrifice of self for another, and if it is truly sincere, there can be no other result than blessing for the giver. Cheer. True Joy.

I encourage you to give, and give until it hurts, to the many non-profits who are tirelessly working to bring good to their community and those in it. If you can’t give financially, you can still give time and support; trust me, they can’t function without it.

Give of yourself, my friends. It’s what Jesus did, and He knows a thing or two about blessing.

“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 NIV

“Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 MSG