And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Acts 20:32-35

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In high school, I had the same bus driver named Stella for all four years. I also had some friends on my bus who would often ask me to sing. I repeatedly said no until one day their asking wore me out. So there we were, a few of us left on the bus and I finally sang a song for them. Stella loved it so much she cried.

In today’s Scripture passage, Paul is trying to help his fellow believers understand that it is more satisfying to give than to receive. Sometimes the simple things we do for others cost us close to nothing, but it could mean the world to them. 

During the pandemic, I signed up to serve with our Care Center team. We stood outside with masks and gloves and loaded boxes full of food that we packed into the trunks of cars.  I often reflect on that season and remember how satisfying it truly was. In the summer, we baked under the sun, and in the winter, we froze on that sidewalk, but when I think of how it provided many families with food and other necessities like diapers and wipes, being hot or cold wasn’t a huge sacrifice. It is way more satisfying to give than to receive. 

Paul reminds them (and us) that it is the way of Jesus to help those in need and to give so that others will experience the grace of God through that generosity. When we give, we allow the Holy Spirit to use us so that people can experience a glimpse of God’s love, grace, and mercy through us. It’s being the hands and feet of Jesus. Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

My high school bus driver, Stella, often asked me to sing for her and after she would cry, telling me it was just what she needed. Now that I am older, I understand that one of the many reasons why worship is so powerful is that when we sing over each other, we are encouraging each other in the Lord. And so singing over Stella every now and then while getting dropped off at my stop provided encouragement for her. It didn’t cost me much, but it was a blessing to her. It is far more satisfying to be a blessing to others than to be blessed.

Next Steps

Spend some time in reflection today. When you consider that it is better to give than to receive and you examine your life, where might you grow in this area?