May 28, 2026 | Be Connected
More Blessed to Give than to Receive
Scripture: Acts 20:32-35(NIV)
32 “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. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 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.’ ”
Devotional
In today’s verses, Paul is preparing to leave the church in Ephesus and is speaking to them for the final time. He reminds them of the value of not seeking earthly wealth but rather treasures in heaven. Paul also mentors them on Jesus’s edict on the importance of giving rather than receiving.
The Bible makes numerous references to sacrificial giving. Some favorites of mine include:
- Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
- For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
- But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on (Mark 12:42-44).
- For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8)
- Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17).
As a kid, I always looked forward to the “present” holidays, namely Christmas and birthdays. Making lists, dropping hints, making sure my parents saw strategically placed ads or catalogs. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes it didn’t. As an adult, my feelings have totally reversed. Now I look forward to the same two holidays because of the opportunities to make a loved one’s day through a thoughtful gift. At this stage of my life, the joy of giving outweighs the joy of receiving.
Every gift has a giver and a receiver. God is the giver of the ultimate gift. He has offered each of us the gift of salvation through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ. All we must do to receive the gift is to accept it. When a person becomes a new believer, God experiences joy. Luke 15:7 tells us that, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Have you accepted God’s ultimate gift through his son, Jesus Christ? Are you sharing his gift with others?
