“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)
Paul says something similar to what Jesus said in Matthew 10:8. Jesus taught that servanthood and generosity would mark the lives of His followers. His followers would be known for their acts of love, especially toward their enemies.
Interestingly, the phrase, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” does not appear in the Gospels. While not stated explicitly, this truth is implicitly portrayed on every page. It may be that Paul is summarizing Jesus’s statements or that this truth was simply recounted by others.
Our biggest challenge is not giving. The greater challenge for many of us is believing and receiving. For many of us, it is actually easier to give than to receive. Truthfully, we cannot give what we have not first received. The blessing in giving comes from sharing that which we first received.
Ask God for the ability to receive, and then ask Him to experience the blessing of giving from the overflow of that which He has given to you.
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