"It is more blessed to give than to receive "

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AnneElizabeth

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… and that is true as it is from Scripture. But what about receiving? What if you don’t know how to receive? Is that a form of pride? (sin)

If a person doesn’t know how to receive, then how would they ever learn?

Also, sometimes in giving, isn’t there also pride in that as well… depending on the situation/person. ?

Thanks in advance for any replies.
 
Receiving is acknowledging the good in another person.
The good in them wanted to give you something.
The good in them desires to help you.
It is a form of vanity to say that we don’t need anyone.
Christ Himself, in His humanity needed things and people.
When we make gods of ourselves and foolishly believe that we don’t need anyone…that’s when we’re the most vulnerable and truly needy.
To learn to receive gracefully? Just turn inward in humility and say thank you. Sincerely mean it. It’s not an accusation of incompetence. It’s an affirmation of friendship, collegiality, and brotherhood. Relish it. Welcome it. Give thanks for it. Then do for others. Once we get in the habit of doing for those less fortunate, those who are uneducated, those who are hungry, poor, disenfranchised, we see and comprehend the great joy in giving. And we realize we can’t deny others that gift.
Peace.
 
AnneElizabeth said:
… and that is true as it is from Scripture. But what about receiving? What if you don’t know how to receive? Is that a form of pride? (sin)
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I think it is a form of pride. You’re telling yourself you don’t deserve it, when really you should be acknowledging the good that someone is trying to do. In other words, you’re thinking of yourself instead of the other person.
If a person doesn’t know how to receive, then how would they ever learn?
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Start by thanking God for all the blessings you have received from him. Don’t tell yourself you’re not worthy, be truly thankful. Remember how Jesus accepted the gift from the woman who anointed his feet with costly oil. It wasn’t something he needed or probably even wanted, but he accepted it gracefully. Then, the next time someone gives you something say Thank you, and don’t add You shouldn’t have done that. 🙂
Also, sometimes in giving, isn’t there also pride in that as well… depending on the situation/person. ?
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It can be a matter of pride if you do it in order to feel good about yourself.
 
Bookcat said:
What Jesus said there of course is true…

It does not though mean that it is not also important to be able to “receive”.
And receiving is very important in the Christian life!

“Truth, and the love which it reveals, cannot be produced: they can only be received as a gift.”

~ Pope Benedict XVI

w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20090629_caritas-in-veritate.html
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yes, I suppose I was trying to get more conversation going about receiving, how to receive.

I also was concerned (and thus started this thread) when I read an article about some people who are hurt so much that it is hard for them to accept the kindness of others, not that they aren’t really thankful within themselves, but just shy of opening up to others. They almost hold others with suspicion on their motives. I wondered if that was a sin, and if one is like that, how do they ever learn to open up again? I probably should have made that more clear in my original post.

I don’t think it is discussed much- the topic of receiving and how one is to receive. I’m not even sure if I’ve ever heard a discussion on it before, but as seagal said it does have a lot do with giving God thanks and that is a great practice that would help. I think that is a great point. I’m not sure many do give God thanks- I mean from a truly thankful heart that is contemplating all it is that one does have.
 
seagal said:
…Don’t tell yourself you’re not worthy, be truly thankful.
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What if someone truly doesn’t believe they are? Is that still sin or pride? Something else? I do understand about false humility, and I’m not really talking about that.
seagal said:
.Remember how Jesus accepted the gift from the woman who anointed his feet with costly oil. It wasn’t something he needed or probably even wanted, but he accepted it gracefully. …
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^Thanks for that, I’m going to meditate on that passage.
 
pianistclare said:
…
Christ Himself, in His humanity needed things and people.
…
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I had heard differently. I have heard He does not need us at all. I’ve heard it said both ways… which is it? Not to be picky, (I hope you don’t feel that I am being so) but do you have some Scripture to back that up?
 
AnneElizabeth said:
What if someone truly doesn’t believe they are? Is that still sin or pride? Something else? I do understand about false humility, and I’m not really talking about that.
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If someone doesn’t believe they are worth anything then I would think that has more to do with their self esteem than sin. Still something worth working on, either by yourself or with the help of a counsellor.
^Thanks for that, I’m going to meditate on that passage.
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You’re welcome 🙂
 
AnneElizabeth said:
I had heard differently. I have heard He does not need us at all. I’ve heard it said both ways… which is it? Not to be picky, (I hope you don’t feel that I am being so) but do you have some Scripture to back that up?
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.
If he did not need friends or relationships he would not have been fully human, no? We believe that He was fully human AND fully Divine. He indeed did experience disappointment, need for food…how many times in Scripture after a healing does he immediately ask “get me something to eat?”
In the Lord’s case, his need is not illustrating a LACK in him, but a desire to live as we do, so that none of us can ever say “Oh, Jesus was perfect…he has no clue what I go through”.
An important distinction.

There is a difference between need and neediness. Jesus was not “needy”, no.
But he needed that kindness from Veronica at Calvary…as anyone would.
In His wisdom and humility, he permitted Himself to be ministered to.

This is what I’m talking about.
There are some great books out there on the subject of Christology.
 
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