Tuesday, October 18 – Acts 20:35

“In everything I showed you that by working hard in this way 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.’”

 

Do you have memories of receiving a special gift when you were young? Do you remember giving a special gift around the same age? If you remember both, it is likely that the memory of receiving had a bigger impact than one of giving. It is not hard for a child to give an answer for something they want but sharing and giving don’t come naturally. As we get older, giving still comes with its difficulties. We dwell on our own needs, our own to-do lists, and our own desires.

 

Have you taken to heart Jesus’s words in this verse? Do you live your life based on the assumption it is more blessed to give than to receive? This truth from Jesus is more than a phrase He wants us to remember, it is a calling He has placed on our lives. This verse also reminds us that we are to help our brothers and sisters in Christ, but we also help the weak. That means helping others who may never be able to pay us back. Sometimes, those are the hardest people to serve. We are afraid of giving out our time and money because we worry about our return on investment, but as we serve in the name of Christ, we can give freely knowing He is doing more than impacting the one receiving. He is changing us and molding us into His image every time we give.

 

• What things would you rather receive than give?
• How can you remind yourself daily that it is better to give than receive?
• Pray and ask God to open your eyes to the areas that you need to grow in believing it is better to give than receive.