TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE
Please read Acts 20:25–38
“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.’” When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
Acts 20:32–38
DEVOTIONAL
by Elder Chris Beltran
Why is it a blessing to give than to receive?
First, giving is how God demonstrates His love for us. John 3:16 is one of the most well-known verses of all time. Second, giving makes you happy. Studies about people who gave their time, talent, and money to charities or church work seem to point to a much higher happiness level than those who didn’t. Third, giving communicates our faith in God that He can supply us with all our needs (cf. Philippians 4:19). Fourth, giving is God’s way of blessing others. Jubilee Evangelical Church’s outreach ministry is called “Blessed to Bless.” God doesn’t often provide our needs right out of the sky, but He blesses us, so we will be able to bless others back.
Sixth, giving makes us take away our focus on ourselves and focus on others. Seventh, giving is an act of obedience, not compulsion (read 2 Cor. 9:7). He wants us to give out of our heart’s desire. Eight, God puts a tab on our giving (read Prov. 19:17). God will one day reward you, but remember and think about the meaning of the phrase: ‘generous to the poor.’ Ninth, giving makes you listen accurately and be sensitive to people’s needs. Tenth, giving makes you realize that God is the owner of your resources, and we are mere stewards or managers of it.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Paul’s commitment to teaching and building the Church inspires us. Help us invest in believers, too, guiding them in faith. May we be examples of Your love and grace. Strengthen us in challenges, and may our lives reflect Your transforming power. Let us entrust ourselves to Your care and proclaim Your kingdom with fervor. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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