warm-up

What are the things you do to show someone's importance in your life?

What was the most expensive gift you ever bought for a loved one? Why did you choose to give this gift?

If you could buy anything for anyone, what would you buy and for whom would it be? Why?

word

34“You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35In 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 20:34,35

Paul reminded the believers in Ephesus that having wealth and possessions is not just for our own comfort and enjoyment, but so that we can give to others in need. He went on to remind them that Jesus Himself had said that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Today, we will look at three reasons why it’s more blessed to give than to receive.

1
Givers are blessed because they are able to help others.

“You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.” ACTS 20:34

Helping others is an expression of love. When we give to meet the needs of those around us, we are extending the love of God to them. Jesus said that you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and you shall love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37–39). We are blessed when we give because we get to show our love not only for people, but ultimately, our love for God. What did Jesus say in Matthew 25:35-40 about helping others in need?

2
Givers are blessed because they reflect God’s generosity.

“. . . 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 20:35

We can be generous in giving because God is generous to us. He wants to show the people around us that He is a generous God. We are blessed because God is able to make all grace abound so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, we may abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). When we give to those in need, we demonstrate one of our greatest privileges—Christlikeness. That is a great blessing. What are you doing to help those in need in your community? In what ways are you being generous to them?

3
Givers are blessed because they receive more in return for what they give.

“ . . . give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” LUKE 6:38

God has promised that the measure we use will be measured back to us. This means that as we trust His provision and give generously to others, He will in turn reward our generosity. God rewards not only with financial blessing, but also with deliverance, protection, and health. According to Proverbs􀀁 11:24,25, what happens to a generous giver?

application

Do you look to God as the source of everything you need, or do you depend on your ability to sustain yourself? What can you do today to learn to trust God in a greater way?

What can you do this week to develop a lifestyle of generosity?What is one promise from the Bible that you can claim in this area?

Do you know a person who is having a hard time trusting God with his or her finances? What can you do this week to encourage this person to believe God for provision?

prayer

Thank God for being a generous provider and for rewarding everyone who practices generosity. Thank Him for making sure that your supply does not run dry.

Ask God to constantly remind you to be generous to those in need around you. Pray that you will continue to look to Him as the ultimate source.

Pray that as you live a lifestyle of generosity, people around you will be inspired to trust God for their daily needs as well.

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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001
by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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