Daily Devotional

-July 21, 2021-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

-It Is Better To Give Than To Receive-

“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

(Acts 20:35).

Paul spent three years preaching and teaching the Word in Ephesus. He established a strong and effective church. His protege Timothy later served in Ephesus for many years. Acts 20:17-38 represent Paul’s last words to the elders at Ephesus before he left them. There is no record he ever returned there again.

Paul was a tremendous example to the saints and leaders in Ephesus. In his final words he mentions that he served the Lord in humility with tears and trials, kept back nothing that was helpful, taught the Word publicly and from house to house, testified to both Jews and Gentiles, did not shun to proclaim the whole counsel of God, did not covet anyone’s silver or gold, and worked to support himself and those who served with him. What a life he lived with such dedication, commitment, devotion, and sacrifice.

We as believers today, like those in Ephesus, and throughout the ancient world, have quite an example to follow in Paul. He also warned the elders that after His departure, false teachers will come in and they must be ready to defend the faith, standing on the Word of God. He exhorts them to do two important things: support the weak and remember Jesus’ words that it is better to give than to receive.

• You must support the weak – Paul uses his example for them to follow, “I have shown in every way, by laboring like this, you must support the weak.” Weakness among God’s people can be in various forms: spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, financially, or materially. Paul wrote in Romans 14:1-2, “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one who believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.” He also said in Romans 14:5, “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike.”

The devil always tries his utmost to divide Christians. We have different controversial issues today such as whether to drink wine or not; and since the pandemic, to wear masks or not, and whether to be vaccinated or not. Love should always prevail. Romans 13:8 says, “Love does no harm to a neighbor, therefore Love is the fulfillment of the law.”

• Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is better to give than to receive.’ – These beautiful words of Christ are not found anywhere in the four gospels. Paul said that Jesus said them, and obviously they were widely known by those who were alive in the days of Christ. The last verse in the Gospel of John says, “And there also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world could not contain the books that would be written. Amen” (John 21:25).

This principle of giving and receiving is so important in Christianity. Jesus is not denigrating receiving but is exalting giving as being more blessed. We know this from many Scriptures as well as from our personal experience. It feels to good to give to others in need. Jesus taught a lot about giving. When we open our hearts and our pocket books, there is no end to all the blessings that will result. The Christian life is all about giving. Sometimes it hard for us to receive. Whenever there is giving in love, there should also be receiving with thanksgiving. Receivers must let givers get their blessing of giving. One day, givers will become receivers, and receivers will one day have their opportunities to be givers.

May the Lord help us to support the weak, show love and patience; and to remember it is more blessed to give than to receive. This will help us all to live in unity, love, and fellowship.

Have a blessed day supporting and giving to those in Christ. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean