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.’”
Each of us holds a set of core beliefs, principles that guide our lives and influence the choices we make and the things we choose to pursue. A principle of “honesty is the best policy” may help us try to live as honest people in all we do. A core belief that financial security is the key to earthly success may motivate us to look for the best paying job. And a Christian’s core beliefs should be Christ-centered.
Consider Paul’s parting encouragement to the believers in Ephesus, asking them to serve and pour into the people around them: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” These words came from Jesus Himself, and they are a core belief of the Christian life. But even Christians often look for what we can get out of something or someone rather than what we can give. Only through the Holy Spirit’s work within us can we begin to see giving as a greater blessing than gaining.
Jesus’s words remind us that blessing comes in giving; it’s far more and far better than looking for results or serving to achieve status. Our human nature makes it feel like we need to get something out of what we do for it to matter, but Jesus’s way is different. We can serve sacrificially because we have been changed by Him, believe in this principle He has given to us, and see the blessing in giving.
- When have you focused more on what you can receive than what you can give? What happened?
- How can this truth of Christ change the way you serve others?
- Pray for the people you will serve. Ask God to bless them and help you love them sacrificially.
