"Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"(Acts 20:35 NIV). Now, is this saying which is attributed to Jesus real and does it cover animals apart from humans?
Admittedly, Paul the apostate used this saying to praise himself for never coveting other people’s supplies and for helping the poor. In this regard, Paul is being hypocritical because he had twisted Deuteronomy 25:4 to justify his receiving material remuneration from the believers for his pastoral ministry. No doubt, Paul never met the real person of Jesus. His “conversion” by Christ on the way to Damascus is just an unverified self-proclaimed myth full of self-contradictions. Nonetheless, Jesus’ saying as quoted by Paul here is probably authentic, as it aligns with Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where He says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Paul had likely heard it as part of an oral tradition.
Meanwhile, we have good reason to believe that this saying of Jesus includes animals as well as humans. For Jesus is staunchly vegan. Jesus embodies mercy, chooses compassion over sacrifice (Matt. 9:13) & warning against animal flesh consumption (Luke 21:34 Evangelion Da-Mepharreshe). He shows concern for animals (Matt. 10:29, Luke 14:5) and peacefully coexists with wild creatures (Mark 1:12-13). Most importantly, His direct action of liberating sacrificial animals from the Temple (Mark 11:15-18) disrupted the lucrative income streams of the chief priests and scribes, who immediately afterwards plotted to destroy Him, eventually leading to His crucifixion.
Thus, following the Vegan Christ and give to the animals love, care, respect, food, protection and shelter, rather than take from them their lives, their freedom, their dignity, their kids, their skins, their labour, their food, their habitats....
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