Cliche: Two Hands

I am always astounded at the generic messages on church signs these days. Most of these messages are worldly, trite, and cliché. This morning I saw the following message on a local sign:

WE HAVE 2 HANDS:

1 TO GIVE

1 TO RECEIVE

We do have two hands. That is true for most, but not all, human beings. But what does it mean to give with one hand and receive with the other hand? Where does Holy Scripture teach such nonsense?

When it comes to receiving what God graciously gives, the Christian receives not with a hand, but with his ears and mouth. Christ’s Word is spoken into his ears (Romans 10:17). Christ’s body and blood are placed into his mouth (1 Corinthians 11:26). And when it comes to receiving help from his neighbor, is the Christian to receive this help with only one hand? What does that even mean?

When it comes to giving back to God out of joyful response to what He has first given us in Christ, the Christian presents not simply a hand, but his entire body as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). And when it comes to serving his neighbor, is the Christian to give this help with only one hand? Isn’t it a little selfish to hold something back while serving others?

Stop the worldly gobbledygook. Put up something about Jesus. Preferably a Bible passage. Most certainly the Gospel. After all, the good news of Jesus for sinners is what every one of us daily needs to hear!