Many of us want to reach out to others simply because we want to help, bless, and somehow give another person a sense of hope and joy in their challenging life. But what we don't know is that as we reach out to others, we are actually helping ourselves more than we help them.
Want to know why? Here's how reaching out to others helps us more than we realise.
1. We're more blessed when we give than when we receive
Contrary to how we see it, we are actually more blessed when we give to others compared to when we are the ones receiving from them. This is taught by the Lord Jesus, demonstrated by Paul, and is now being passed on to us.
"I have never coveted anyone's silver or gold or fine clothes. You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:33-35)
2. We are storing up for ourselves treasures in heaven
Not only do we enrich the lives of others when we reach out to them and bless them – we also store up for ourselves rewards in heaven when we do. Are your familiar with what Jesus taught, saying, "And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!?'" (see Matthew 25:40)
Following this reasoning, we can conclude that when we do good to others, we are actually doing it unto the Lord our God, who will reward us according to our deeds (see Romans 2:6).
3. We become ambassadors of Christ and channels of His love
Reaching out to others with the compassion that comes from God also brings with it an honour that only God can bestow: by letting us become His hands and feet, His ambassadors in a broken and needy world.
"So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, 'Come back to God!'" (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Not only that, because we are God's channels of blessing, He also blesses us to be a blessing to others. This also results in praise to His name.
"Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God." (2 Corinthians 9:11)
