Giving to others is a charitable act that can make life easier. While some acts of charity may have instant rewards, others are one-sided. If you are looking for a way to convince yourself or others of the benefits of charity, one phrase comes to mind. The phrase it is better to give than receive is a great way to get your mind and heart into a giving mode. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The phrase it is better to give than to receive means that instead of gaining, it is better to share. For those who have a lot of wealth or just those who are doing better than others, giving to others is said to be a blessing. The point of the phrase is to encourage charity in action and in spirit. The phrase may have biblical roots, but it is applied to daily life in many regards.
To say it is better to give than to receive also means that you should help others who are less capable. Helping those in need who can’t help themselves is a form of charity that has no financial rewards. You can also use the phrase it is better to give than to receive when it comes to giving your time or your emotions. Teaching others, giving a shoulder to cry on, or even spending your time with the sick are all forms of giving.
Example Usage
“Getting gifts is nice, but it’s not a requirement, it is better to give than to receive in my opinion”.
“You should always teach children that it is better to give than to receive so that they remain humble”.
“Most kind people believe that it is better to give than to receive”.
“My motto has always been that it is better to give than to receive, it helps me to stay kind”.
Origin
The phrase it is better to give than to receive has biblical origins. The phrase is said to have come from the teaching of Jesus and was spread by his apostle, Paul. The King James Version of the Bible lists the phrase in Acts 20:35. “I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive”.
The phrase also exists in different forms in other languages and religions. Most mainstream religious texts have some form of the phrase it is better to give than to receive, though each has slightly different origins. The meanings remain the same regardless of where they are found in time or history.
Phrases Similar to It Is Better To Give Than To Receive
- Charity starts at home
- Givers never lack
- Charity comes from the heart
- A generous heart will never be barren
Phrases Opposite to It Is Better To Give Than To Receive
- Save for a rainy day
- Being thrifty is better than being popular
- Conservative
- Cut corners
- Greedy
- Selfish
What is the Correct Saying?
- The correct saying is – it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Ways People May Incorrectly Say It Is Better To Give Than To Receive
Some ways that it is better to give than to receive are used incorrectly are:
- I love getting gifts, after all, it is better to give than to receive.
- Instead of giving everything away, be selfish sometimes. It is better to give than to receive they say.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase It Is Better To Give Than To Receive
Some ways that it is better to give than to receive is used correctly are:
- Instead of making a big Christmas wish list, keep in mind that it is better to give than to receive.
- Even without money you can contribute, it is better to give than to receive, and you can give your skills instead.
- Not everything is a transaction, it is better to give than to receive and I am giving your my heart.