It's More Blessed to Give than to Receive - Acts 20:35

Acts 20:35
In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Paul is in Ephesus, leaving Asia and on his way to Jerusalem. He gives a recap of what he taught them, and warns them that there will be false teachers, wolves, coming who will try to draw them away from Christ. He reminds them of a few very important things, among them to help the weak and quoting Jesus, that it’s better to give than to receive.

We’re to help the weak and give. We start Annie Armstrong this week. That’s a good way to help. And we can trust the North American Mission Board to be good stewards of our offerings.

But really, it’s not up to us to worry about that too much. Confidently give whatever the Holy Spirit is telling you to give. But as far as helping the weak, it’s my opinion that many worry too much about which weak people they might be helping, not acknowledging God’s role in it. I will repeat something I said two weeks ago because I think it’s very important in both private and public life, in many aspects of our lives.  It was this: What we see as waste, God might intend to use for someone else’s good. Or maybe someone undeserving is going to get it. I can’t know for sure, but I choose to believe that it’s in God’s hands.

I need to be responsible with what He’s given me and follow His commands, and I leave the results up to Him, and to leave it between Him and whoever receives it as to how they handle what they receive. Make sure you pray, asking God what our attitudes need to be, and let’s all make sure to listen to God on this and not to the talking heads that are masters at riling us up against various people.

Offertory Prayer
Gracious God, as we offer these gifts, may we remember the words of Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' Help us to use these resources to serve others and build your kingdom, reflecting your generosity in all we do, and to simply follow you and leave the results in your hands. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.