“I Commend You”
“I Commend You”
Blessings folk!
Paul was on his way to Jerusalem.
He summons the elders of the Body in Ephesus for some final words.
Note the principles we see about “giving”…
Act 20:31-35
Therefore be alert,
remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities
and to those who were with me.
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.’”
What do we learn?
Paul gave…
- of himself
- his time day/night/three years
- of his tears…his emotions…his strength
- to the Lord…commended them to God
- to the word of God’s grace
- them to the inheritance the Lord has prepared for them
Paul made a point in this situation to provide for his and his entourage's needs.
Other places there was provisions from the folk.
The point is that he did not do the work of the Kingdom to take from the people.
He did not covet their silver, gold nor apparel.
He set the model of giving/living by example.
Working hard.
Helping the weak.
Above all, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”!
Giving is so much more than we thought…