IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE

Passage: Acts 20:32-38

Key verse: 35b

NIV

32 “Now I commit you to God(A) and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance(B) among all those who are sanctified.(C) 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.(D) 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.(E) 35 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.’ ”

36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.(F) 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.(G) 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again.(H) Then they accompanied him to the ship.(I)

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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

32 And now (A)I commend you to God and to (B)the word of his grace, which is able to (C)build you up and to give you (D)the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 (E)I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 (F)You yourselves know that (G)these hands ministered to my necessities and (H)to those who were with me. 35 In all things (I)I have shown you that (J)by working hard in this way we must (K)help the weak and (L)remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed (M)to give than to receive.’”

36 And when he had said these things, (N)he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And (O)there was much weeping on the part of all; (P)they embraced Paul and (Q)kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of (R)the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And (S)they accompanied him to the ship.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. I commit you to God and to his word (32)

Paul committed God's flock to God and to his word of grace. God's word builds us up and gives us an inheritance among the saints. God's word makes us holy and clean. God promised us an inheritance that will never perish, spoil or fade, kept for us in heaven (1Pe 1:3).

2. The blessed life (33-38)

Paul shared a precious secret with the Ephesian elders before bidding them a tearful good-bye. He gave them Jesus' spiritual secret: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' Paul had worked with his hands to supply his own needs and the needs of others. He taught and lived the giving life, in obedience to Jesus. Those who give to others are truly happy. Those who are always trying to get something are always dissatisfied and unhappy.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the inheritance which you have kept for me in heaven. Give me your word of grace, and help me to live a giving life.

One Word: Receive from God; give to others