Acts 20:35 – “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
When we choose to follow Jesus, we step into a life filled with grace, mercy, and purpose. Each day becomes an opportunity to live in the reality that we are fully known and deeply loved by God. We are no longer wandering without direction: we are His children, walking in the light of a new identity. That truth alone is enough to fill our hearts with gratitude.
Yet, if we are honest, it is easy to drift into a life that centers only on ourselves. We treasure the blessings we have received, but sometimes we forget that those blessings were never meant to stop with us. Jesus Himself lived a life completely oriented toward others. He healed, comforted, encouraged, and gave of Himself without hesitation. His love was not something He stored away; it was something He poured out daily.
The apostle Paul echoed the heart of Jesus when he spoke to the leaders of the Ephesian church in Acts 20:35. He reminded them that his life and ministry had not been about personal gain, but about serving those who were weak and in need. Paul didn’t share this to draw attention to himself; he wanted them to see the deeper truth, that the way of Jesus is a life of giving, not hoarding; of serving, not being served. Giving is the heart of God. Being obedient to God is the doorway to having a wonderful ‘…abundance [to the full, till it overflows] life’, John 10:10 (AMP).
This is where faith finds its true expression. Loving God and loving others cannot be separated; they flow together. When we love others, we reflect the heart of the One who loved us first. The transformation we experience through Christ becomes a light that brings transformation to those around us.
And here’s the beautiful paradox: when we give, we don’t end up with less, we end up with more. Jesus promised that it is always more blessed to give than to receive. Giving opens our hands and our hearts to experience a joy that possessions, comfort, or self-focus could never offer.
Think back for a moment: how has your life been shaped by someone else’s generosity, kindness, or encouragement? Chances are that those moments left a lasting impact. And now, you carry that same invitation—to become that person for someone else.
Giving doesn’t always mean money or grand gestures. It might look like checking in on a neighbour who feels lonely, offering to help a co-worker who is struggling, listening with genuine compassion, or simply being present when someone needs encouragement. Small acts of love often carry eternal weight.
The question for each of us is: how can I be a blessing today? Where, in my workplace, my neighbourhood, or my school, can I reflect the love of Christ? When we build a rhythm of living this way, giving stops being an occasional act; it becomes our natural response to the love we’ve already received.
Humans are inherently designed for connection, relationship, and selfless care for one another. This concept is rooted in scripture, ie the command to “love your neighbour as yourself”. You were created to love others. And in living that truth, you’ll find a joy that not only changes the lives of those around you but also transforms your own. Amen.
