Blessing
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 20:35
Paul had a great testimony of having a good work ethic. Whatever else could be said about him, he couldn’t be accused of being lazy. He worked hard as a tent maker as well as as a church planting evangelist. He was a great example to the Ephesian believers.
Many people work hard. But most of those who do, do so to line their own pockets. Paul worked hard in order to help the weak. Some people aren’t strong enough to support themselves financially, and instead of judging them, Paul helped to support them. I don’t think he was just referring to widows and orphans but perhaps to slaves and even as we would put it today, to the mentally ill.
It’s so easy to judge the weak as lazy, if we ourselves are strong. But we are to support and encourage them to find strength in the Lord. Paul quoted Christ: “it is more blessed to give than to recieve”. If there’s one thing better than getting a present, it’s giving a present.
To recieve a present puts you in someone’s debt, if not financially then morally- you owe them somehow. But to give a gift is to bless and to be blessed by God. So if God has given you gifts, don’t horde them up for yourselves, but be generous with them.
“God and Father, give us we pray the generosity to use our gifts to the blessing of others. Help us not to be spiritual misers, burying our talents. Instead, may we bless others, as You have so lavishly blessed us, amen”