“In everything I showed you that by working hard in this way you 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.’”

Look out for number one. We say this to express the need to look out for ourselves—our needs, interests, and desires—first and foremost. This saying is often used as a justification for stepping on others to move up the corporate ladder or go through life without getting too attached to other people. But Jesus said something quite opposite: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” True giving puts someone else at the focus. This is not giving so that we feel good but giving with the aim to help others and give God glory. This is where Jesus says there is blessing. It is in sacrificial giving, not in our selfish ambition that we reflect God.

Paul quoted these words of Jesus to remind his hearers to keep serving and helping the weak. It is easy to get weary from serving others. We wonder, “Who will watch out for me?” or “How will I get compensated for what I have given?” But we can live a sacrificial life, serving and giving to others, because it is God who provides our every need, including the endurance to carry on. When we depend on our own efforts, we only think about serving in terms of the cost for us—what it takes from our interests, the short-term material cost, or the financial security it could disrupt. But in Christ, we are equipped with everything we need for life and godliness. We can live a life of service, bearing witness to the reality that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

• What are some ways being generous may be costly for you?
• Why is the cost worth it as we seek to faithfully follow Christ?
• Pray and ask God to transform your heart and lead you to serve others sacrificially today.