We find very few of Jesus' words outside of the Gospels.  In fact, if you have a "Red Letter Edition" Bible, one that has Jesus' words in red, you'll find a rare comment from Jesus in Acts 20:35b: "You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”  The Apostle Paul quoted Jesus as he gave his final instructions to the elders from the Ephesian church.

As we've been considering the deadly sin of greed this week, it's been clear that greed moves us away from putting God first in our lives.  According to Jesus, the antidote to greed is giving.  Notice Jesus didn't tell us that receiving is wrong, simply that giving provides a greater blessing than receiving-- It is MORE blessed to give than to receive.  If we want to overcome greed in our lives, the simple solution is to focus on giving.  When we live our lives with "open hands," with hands that give to God and others as a first action, then we'll receive the blessings God and others provide us in a way that is also a blessing.  Greed overtakes us when receiving is our focus, when we think that the solution to all our problems is one more "thing," one more dollar, one more consumable good.  When we have what our neighbors have then we'll be happy or secure.  The truth is the opposite:  When we hold onto what we have loosely, recognizing that at any moment giving something away may well produce the greatest blessing in our lives, greed will fade away as a deadly sin in our lives.

I've found over the years that the times when I've been the most fulfilled have been times when I've GIVEN, whether the giving was giving a material blessing to someone else, or sacrificing for the purposes of God, or giving my time, talents and myself in the name of Jesus.  Doing what's right actually feels good.  Sometimes it doesn't feel good at first, because the devil will feed us lies.  He'll tell us that our security rests in having enough money and stuff.  He'll tell us that if we don't have what others have we'll never be happy.  He'll tell us that holding onto everything we have with all we have is the best way to experience satisfaction in life.  But think about it, if you had a newer car, or a bigger house, or more money in your bank account would it really make you a happier person?  Really?  How much money is enough?  We all know the answer to that question:  a little bit more.  Greed never knows satisfaction.  Giving does.  It's that simple.  Jesus told us that 2,000 years ago.  When we put it into practice we find that it's still true today!

Let's pray.  Heavenly Father, Thank You for all You have given us, especially Jesus!  Fill us with the Holy Spirit that we'll trust You enough to give freely, and thus experience the greater blessings You want to give us.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.