Giving Blood
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Introduction:
The act of giving blood, while a modern medical practice, can be examined through the lens of biblical principles and teachings. The Bible, though not directly addressing the contemporary practice of blood donation, provides insights into the value of life, the importance of helping others, and the significance of blood.

Biblical Significance of Blood:
Blood holds profound significance in the Bible, symbolizing life and covenant. In Leviticus 17:11 , it is stated, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life." This verse underscores the sacredness of blood as the essence of life and its role in atonement and covenant with God.

Helping Others:
The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of helping others and showing compassion. In Matthew 25:35-40 , Jesus speaks of the righteous who cared for Him by caring for others, saying, "For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink... Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me." This passage highlights the call to serve and support those in need, which can be extended to the act of giving blood to save lives.

Sacrificial Love:
The concept of sacrificial love is central to Christian teaching. John 15:13 states, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." While giving blood is not equivalent to laying down one's life, it is a selfless act that can save the lives of others, reflecting the sacrificial love that Jesus exemplified.

The Good Samaritan:
The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) illustrates the call to love and care for our neighbors, regardless of their background. The Samaritan's willingness to help a stranger in need serves as a model for Christians to follow. Giving blood can be seen as a modern expression of this timeless principle, offering aid to those we may never meet.

Stewardship of the Body:
The Bible teaches that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). As stewards of our bodies, Christians are called to care for their health and well-being. Giving blood, when done safely and responsibly, can be part of this stewardship, as it involves using one's health to benefit others.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not explicitly address the practice of blood donation, its teachings on the sanctity of life, compassion, and sacrificial love provide a framework for understanding the value of giving blood. Through this act, Christians can embody the principles of love and service that are central to their faith.
Topical Bible Verses
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?
Topicalbible.org

Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Topicalbible.org

Library

The Power of the Blood of the Lamb
... Too often that precious Blood does not have its cleansing, peace-giving, life-giving,
sin-destroying power in our hearts, and too often we do not find ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 9 the power of.htm

That the Body and Blood of Christ and the Holy Scriptures are Most ...
... set forth for good not the typical lamb, but Thine own most Holy Body and Blood;
making all Thy faithful ones joyful with this holy banquet and giving them to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xi that the body.htm

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity. Singing and Making Melody in Your ...
... Singing and making melody in your heart unto the Lord; giving thanks always for
all things unto God and the Father, in ... Would that my blood for joy might bound. ...
/.../lyra germanica the christian year/twentieth sunday after trinity singing.htm

The Genesis Water-Mark.
... to this word "brooding." Here was love not merely giving life, but giving itself
to ... God gave His breath to man in creation, and His blood for man on Calvary. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/the genesis water-mark.htm

On the Same Lesson of the Gospel, John ix. , on the Giving Sight ...
... On the same lesson of the Gospel, John 9. on the giving sight to the man that ... He
was disowned by the Jews, He was crucified by the Jews; of His Blood He made ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxxvi on the same.htm

The Blood of the Testament
... who do despite to the Spirit of grace, and despise the blood of Jesus; but happy
shall they be who, giving up every other confidence, come to the blood of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 58 1912/the blood of the testament.htm

On the Sacraments of the New Testament in General
... of the New Testament are those which have been instituted for giving testimony to
the covenant, or the New Testament confirmed by the death and blood of its ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lxii on the sacraments.htm

John Chapter xix. 31-42, and xx. 1-9.
... That blood was shed for the remission of sins; that water it is that makes up the
health-giving cup, and supplies at once the laver of baptism and water for ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxx john chapter xix.htm

On Genesis.
... And "in the blood of the grape," trodden and giving forth blood, which means the
flesh of the Lord, he cleanses the whole calling of the Gentiles. Gen. ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on genesis.htm

He Shows Again from the Union in Christ of Two Natures in one ...
... who were ignorant of God's goodness to give thanksgiving to God: "Giving thanks
to ... Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the remission ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter vii he shows again.htm

Resources
Why is giving thanks to God important? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about giving to the poor? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about bribery / giving or receiving a bribe? | GotQuestions.org

Giving: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Giving

Giving Advice

Giving an offering

Giving Birth

Giving Blood

Giving Gifts

Giving offering

Giving Talents

Giving Testimony

Giving Thanks

Giving to Others

Giving to Your Pastor

Giving Too Much

Giving Up

Giving: Rules For

Philanthropy: General Scriptures Concerning

Related Terms

Life-giving (5 Occurrences)

Death-giving (3 Occurrences)

Oil-giving (2 Occurrences)

Law-giving (1 Occurrence)

Praising (35 Occurrences)

Approval (75 Occurrences)

Almsgiving (3 Occurrences)

Vine-gardens (41 Occurrences)

Respond (21 Occurrences)

Enlighten (8 Occurrences)

Beauteous (15 Occurrences)

Possessed (100 Occurrences)

Decisions (133 Occurrences)

Evidence (41 Occurrences)

Blows (105 Occurrences)

Sense (195 Occurrences)

Alms (13 Occurrences)

Asking (111 Occurrences)

Zedeki'ah (62 Occurrences)

Minds (137 Occurrences)

Drinking (114 Occurrences)

Payment (168 Occurrences)

Spiritual (42 Occurrences)

Bitter (203 Occurrences)

Exchange (41 Occurrences)

Praise (487 Occurrences)

Effect (173 Occurrences)

Promise (112 Occurrences)

Vindicating (2 Occurrences)

Rememberance (1 Occurrence)

Responsively (1 Occurrence)

Eucharist

Door-keepers (34 Occurrences)

Diligence (31 Occurrences)

Mutual (7 Occurrences)

Meetings (14 Occurrences)

Producing (20 Occurrences)

Proud (96 Occurrences)

Providing (9 Occurrences)

Betrothed (19 Occurrences)

Birth-pains (10 Occurrences)

Banking

Bribery (2 Occurrences)

Breathing (25 Occurrences)

Benjamin (167 Occurrences)

Carts (13 Occurrences)

Charitable (2 Occurrences)

Adonijah (28 Occurrences)

Agape

Agreements (3 Occurrences)

Animal (163 Occurrences)

Seeming (4 Occurrences)

Settlement (4 Occurrences)

Careful (130 Occurrences)

Bare (250 Occurrences)

Praised (101 Occurrences)

Violently (92 Occurrences)

Position (189 Occurrences)

Binding (23 Occurrences)

Decrees (131 Occurrences)

Melody (55 Occurrences)

Prophesying (58 Occurrences)

Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)

Concordance

Knoweth (152 Occurrences)

Business (147 Occurrences)

Parting (27 Occurrences)

Making (644 Occurrences)

Signs (127 Occurrences)

Bank (28 Occurrences)

Roe (21 Occurrences)

Pride (277 Occurrences)

Produce (140 Occurrences)

Saints (117 Occurrences)

Cursing (53 Occurrences)

Eating (151 Occurrences)

Disgusting (149 Occurrences)

Stretching (84 Occurrences)

A-whoring (35 Occurrences)

Giving Birth
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