Blessed to be a blessing
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
I have always loved to give gifts, but I have not always been in a position to give as much as I would like. It is fitting at this time of year that we talk about giving since that is one of the greatest things we do when we celebrate the birth of our Lord on Christmas day. We do a lot of fun things in our celebration of His coming such as: sing carols, eat big meals and yummy desserts, send out cards to greet our loved ones in the season and we give gifts. Many people are confused about the reason for the gifts. There is a lot of focus on Christmas being a time to receive wonderful presents from those we love so much. We make lists of the things we want and hope to receive the things that we could not get on our own. It doesn’t seem like it should be something we have to teach our children or others, but the truth is, it is. Christmas is about giving! God gave the world His Son Jesus and now we share and give His salvation to others still today.
In today’s reading, the apostle Paul made an interesting comment and quoted something that Jesus said. However, this quote from Jesus in not in the gospels or any other place in the scriptures indicating that Paul received this message through a divine meeting or revelation. Jesus said: It is a greater blessing to give than it is to receive from others.
In this season, this year, I have been getting new revelation on this subject of giving. This phrase in Acts has always seemed to me that it was a nice saying and that you should be happier when giving than when you receive from others. But now I am beginning to understand that there is so much more to it. It is about the blessing part. The blessed part of giving in not in the giving itself, but in the giving as unto the Lord. When you set out in your giving to be a blessing to others, and when your heart is truly about your desire to help and be a blessing to other people whether through a gift or helping them through a struggle, you are actually blessing God with your acts of kindness and love. This is where the true blessing comes in and what Jesus was talking about. When you bless others and bless God in the process, it opens up the way for God’s great blessing and abundant grace to be poured out on your life in every way. Giving to others in any capacity when done in love is a gift to God Himself.
Today I want to encourage you to focus on being a blessing to others this year. If you have never really enjoyed giving or helping others, ask your heavenly Father to change your heart about it. Don’t make this time of year be about worrying how much money you are spending. Instead change your focus to being a blessing to others. Whether it is by a nice gift, baking a special treat for someone or even running errands for someone who need help. Determine that you are going to be a great blessing to those around you and when doing that, you will be a blessing to the Lord. Make this Christmas the best one yet because of your heart to love others through giving and then when it is over, go ahead and do it all year round.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 20:25-38
25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.
35 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.’ ”
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,
38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
The Daily Dose 