The Highest Gift

Even if you are not an avid Bible reader, you are most likely familiar with many of its plot lines and subtext. It is one of the foundational texts of the Western world and its' significance in shaping the collective consciousness of the world cannot be overstated. Trace the ancestry of many of the pithy sayings that pervade our language and you will find yourself in the chapter and verse universe of the Bible. While many volumes could and have been written dissecting the sacred anthology of Christian ideology, I would like you to consider just one, as it fits well with the holiday season.

In Acts 20:35, the Apostle Paul quotes Jesus as saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Now, I realize that literal translations and interpretations of the Bible are a rarity in this day and age. Staunch believers do exist and hell would have to freeze over before they were convinced that the Bible is nothing but the Word of God and strict adherence is not only demanded but morally required. More often than not, however, Christians and non-Christians alike are willing to consider broader meanings and modern interpretations of the Scriptures.

Let's imagine for a moment that "It is more blessed to give that to receive" is a universal law. It is ancient wisdom passed down generationally through oral and written histories. If it is, indeed, more blessed to give than to receive, then what is the highest thing you can do for another?

Think about it for a moment or two.

A large percentage of respondents to this question will answer that the highest thing you can for another is to give to them. It seems a logically sound answer given the parameters of the question. YES! If it is, indeed, more blessed to give than to receive, then the highest thing you can do for another is to give to them. RIGHT?

First of all, it's not about right or wrong or good or bad or judging one's answer on any level. (This is not the Pearly Gates and you are not trying to gain entry into Heaven) This is about exploring alternative interpretations and offering a new perspective on an old adage. So, let's look a little deeper.

There is nothing inherently wrong with giving, as you know. In fact, giving is a vital component of the law of giving and receiving, in which one cannot necessarily exist without the other. Giving is a very good thing. But that is not what the question asks you to consider. The question asks what the highest thing you can do for another if it is, indeed, more blessed to give than to receive.

So, if it is MORE BLESSED TO GIVE than to receive, then the highest thing you can do for another is allow them to give to you. If the act of giving is the more blessed thing to do, then that becomes true for all people, not just the egocentric interpreter of the maxim. I am not sure if it is a uniquely human characteristic to automatically default to selfish concerns as it relates to the entire outward experience of life, including, and most certainly not limited to, words and language, but the words of the prophets are written for one and all. Once we move beyond the narrow focus of personal interest, then a deeper truth is revealed.

Allowing others to share their gifts, holding a space where our families, friends, colleagues and even strangers can give to us without us suspecting ulterior motives and/or thinking we need to give something back to even the karmic scales - that is the essence of IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE.