Description
As we dwell on what Paul says in Acts 20:35, we may realise that the Lord has yet more work for us.
Acts 20:35
In all t… (visit YouTube for more)
Transcript
The gift of the gospel and salvation is free, isn’t it? So what then do we make of Acts chapter 20 verse 35? This is the Apostle Paul speaking, and he says: 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."
So Paul has just, in this chapter, been talking about everything that he’s done for the believers. He’s poured himself out day and night with prayer, with exertion, and he’s been tending to his own needs and the needs of those around him, whilst also presenting the gospel and his understanding of Christ to everyone.
And Paul is one of these rare characters who has got to the point of knowing that he can hold himself out as an example to others. This is a brave thing to do, isn’t it? It’s not advisable for most of us to do that because of how flawed we are. But this is Paul showing the New Testament believers what it is like to be a disciple of Christ.
And he says, I’ve worked, I’ve really strained at this, because this is the right thing to do, and it is better to give out than to receive, and there’s more blessing in that. Do we believe that pouring ourselves out for others is our mission now?
It tires us out, it depletes our resources, but it stores up treasure in heaven. So today let us determine in our hearts and our minds that we are going to seize this opportunity right now, today, to give to others, to pour ourselves out, to ensure that our lives are reflecting the gospel and the servanthood of Christ.
Yes, the gospel is free and salvation is free. But it gives us such a responsibility too. We have received much freely. Now we are freely to give.
