“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Acts 20:35-38
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MAY 16, 2025
The apostle Paul closed his charge to the Ephesian elders with some recommendations for practical Christian living based upon his own example while living with them at Ephesus. Paul encouraged contentment, or being satisfied with God’s provision for their needs. God’s supply for Paul and his companions involved the apostle working hard while residing in Ephesus. Christians can be expected to take advantage of opportunities to meet their own personal needs, and even those of others, through diligent labor.
A second encouragement was the practice of unselfish generosity, especially to help the weak. Paul quoted the words of Jesus in closing, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” There is a striking contrast between lives characterized by giving and those characterized by receiving or getting. Givers look to meet needs of others. Getters are more concerned about their own needs being met. Givers serve. Getters look to be served. Givers are not so concerned about themselves, whereas getters are self-focused.
Givers come to church in order to contribute to fellow believers—with whatever they may have. Getters come to church seeking what others may offer to them. Givers are not so much worried about how others perceive them. Getters crave the attention received from others.
Givers are a blessing to others, and they are blessed by God. Getters do little for others, and they do not experience the blessing of God. The blessing of God should not be measured merely in material things. Some of the most hospitable people in the world have the least to share! And yet some of the least hospitable people have the most to share, but hoard it for themselves.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- What do you have to give to others, and are you doing so?
- In terms of your family, are you a giver or a getter?
- In terms of your involvement in the local church, are you a giver or a getter?
Church Reading Plan:
- Today, May 16: Numbers 25; Psalm 68
- Saturday, May 17: Numbers 26; Psalm 69
- Sunday, May 18: Numbers 27; Psalm 70-71