Acts 20:35 NIV
The Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
1. A life is a life.
“How different would our life be were we truly able to trust that it multiplied in being given away! How different would our life be if we could but believe that every little act of faithfulness, every gesture of love, every word of forgiveness, every little bit of joy and peace will multiply and multiply as long as there are people to receive it…and that—even then—there will be leftovers!” —Henri Nouwen, Life of the Beloved
Acts 20:34-35 NIV
I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.
2. The main obstacle to generosity is .
Luke 12:15 NIV
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.”
3. Generosity is a matter of the .
Money our idols.
Matthew 6:21 NIV
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The false self can produce incredible , but it always extracts .
Question for Reflection:
Where does my treasure flow most freely?
Acts 20:33 NIV
Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
If we rest our heart in anything but , we will have a lot of trouble giving anything away.
4. The Word of Makes us
1 Peter 2:9 NIV
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Answer Key: blessed, generous; covetousness; heart; reveals; results, payment; Christ; Grace, Generous