In Acts 20:35, Paul says that Jesus himself declared, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Jesus said it. Paul exampled it to the Ephesians by being a tentmaker while he ministered to them. Paul then affirmed it by quoting it as instructions to the Ephesian elders. It is part of divine, inspired Scripture. It is therefore scriptural, spiritual truth.

Question. Do we really believe it? I don’t mean do we agree that it is true because it is in the Bible. I mean do we really, really believe it because we not only affirm it but embrace it as a way of life? Do we truly live in such a way that we wholeheartedly trust in God to such a degree, we can joyfully “give” because God is good to His promises, and it will be more blessed for us?

Here are a couple of questions from this verse to help us go beyond understanding it to applying it, and therefore, realizing from personal experience that it is truly true!

1. What was Paul “giving” that he believed was more blessed than to receive? Paul was giving his time. It took time for him to work with his hands in order to make provision for ministry. He did not view this as distracting him from ministry but rather as keeping him in ministry. He was also giving of his skill. He must have been fairly skilled or he would not have been able to support himself. He was giving his skill not directly to the ministry, but surely indirectly to the ministry, and therefore, in support of ministry. Finally, Paul was giving his life. When you add Paul’s handiwork to his teaching ministry, that leaves no room for anything else. His life was wrapped up in giving it away for the sake of others, for the sake of the Gospel, for the sake of Christ.
2. What was the “more blessed” that Paul “received” which he concluded was far better than anything he would have received? Paul was certain and confident that being on the “giving” end reaped far more blessings than being on the receiving end. So what were these blessings? The “more blessed” was not material possessions because Paul did not gain earthly wealth in Ephesus. It was not fame because Paul left Ephesus on his way to persecution. With this being the case, comfort and security could not be the answers either. So what did Paul “receive” as a result of his giving that far outweighs what he would receive without giving?

The answer is true, spiritual happiness; that is in fact what the word “blessed” means. There is a deep, profound joy that only comes from giving. As with many other Christian paradoxes, such as the only way up is down (James 4:10), true, lasting happiness is found when one spends his life, not when one tries to save it (Matt 10:39).

Receiving and getting and taking in the end is only a quest for joy. We are deceived into believing that if we can acquire, achieve, and accumulate, we can experience a sense of satisfaction, completion, fulfillment. And yet the joy we believe to be found there only escapes our grasp precisely because the joy we long for cannot be found there but is found in the absolute opposite direction!

The word “blessed” is a full and weighty word. It doesn’t mean a pat on the back, a merit badge from God, or a sense of self-righteous pride. It means abundant blessings, many blessings. It’s the biblical way of saying, “It doesn’t get any better than this!” Blessing upon blessing is for those who give! Spiritual blessings, emotional blessings, eternal blessings, the blessings of following Jesus, the blessings of setting an example for believers, the blessings of testifying to the world of the treasures of Christ, the blessing of knowing your life is lived to the glory of God, and many more!!!

It all comes down to faith. Do we really believe it is more blessed to give than to receive. Now, whether we believe it or not does not change the truth of it. It is more blessed to give than to receive. The question is will we believe it enough to live it. Will we rely on and trust in God to such an extent that we begin to give, to give generously, to give sacrificially, to give above and beyond, to give our time, talents, life, and YES OUR MONEY!, to give - believing God and His Word?