Our scripture this morning is Acts 20:32-35.
And now I entrust you to God and to the message of his grace. This message is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have desired no one’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine provided for my needs and the needs of those who were with me. By all these things, I have shown you that by working in this way we must help the weak, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus that he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
In this passage Paul says goodbye to those who have ministered with him. He tells them “I entrust you to God and to the message of his grace”, encouraging all to continue in the task to which God has called them. He leaves his ministry to them as Jesus gave His ministry to us.
Letting go of people and places we love is hard, but it might be part of God’s plan for us. Likewise, we may be called to stay right where we are to “hold the fort” while others are sent. Both are important to God and it is important for us to listen and understand the call He places on our lives.
While there is no scriptural record of Jesus saying “it is more blessed to give than to receive”, His life is a testimony to this statement. Everything He did and said is consistent with God’s love and His will for us. He showed us that loving God means loving and caring for one another, and sharing that love with the world.
Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to show us Your love in amazing ways. Bless us to go in Your name to reach all Your children. Amen.
