Blessed to be a Blessing // Acts 20:35

Acts 20:35 (NIV) | “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.’”

Today’s verse from Acts 20:35 are words spoken by the Apostle Paul as he bid farewell to the leaders of the Church at Ephesus. We see a very famous line Paul attributed to Jesus that you might not know was spoken by the Lord, “It’s more blessed to give than receive.” Did you know those words came from Jesus as opposed to Hallmark? This flies in the face of trying to help us feel better about gift giving during the holidays or other special occasions, because it directs us toward helping the weak and the vulnerable. Paul indicated that the work he did for others was based on what Jesus did for him. Paul was weak, but in his weakness became strong when he allowed God’s grace to surge to and through him. The same is true for you. God wants to bless you with His eternal strength so you can bless others similarly. So, with whatever it is you do today, do it in and for God’s amazing grace. It is more blessed to give and receive, so find ways to be a conduit for the Lord’s strength to help this lost and weary world.