The Blessing of Giving

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.” — Acts 20:35 (ESV)

Do you remember a time when you experienced the quiet joy of giving?

Maybe it was slipping a $20 bill into a friend’s pocket when they didn’t ask, but clearly needed it. Or maybe something less tangible—a ride to the doctor’s office, a handwritten note tucked into a lunchbox, a few hours spent listening without rushing to fix.

How did that moment make you feel? Not just emotionally, but spiritually. Did giving change you? Did it touch something deep within?

There’s a joy that comes from giving—not the flashy kind, not the kind that seeks applause—like the giving of millions of dollars (not that large gifts lack value—but there’s a particular grace in the kind that slips in unnoticed and leaves peace in its wake). Paul, speaking to the elders in Ephesus, reminds them of a saying from Jesus that isn’t in the Gospels: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” It’s a whisper from the margins of scripture, yet it pulses with the heart of Christ.

Psychological studies today affirm the attitude Jesus taught: giving lifts the spirit. Studies show that generosity reduces stress, deepens relationships, and even improves physical health. But beyond the science, there’s something sacred about giving. It’s a way of saying, “I see you. You matter. I’m with you.”

Giving doesn’t always mean money. Sometimes it’s a listening ear, a handwritten note, a quiet prayer, or simply sitting with someone—saying nothing—during a time of grief. These acts of grace, offered with the right heart, become holy ground. They echo the self-giving love of Christ, who poured himself out not for recognition, but for restoration.

And here’s the mystery: when we give, we receive, not in material return, but in soul-deep blessing. We become part of something larger than ourselves—a communion of grace, a cloud of witnesses, a movement of mercy.

Sometimes it’s a listening ear, a handwritten note, a quiet prayer, or simply sitting with someone—saying nothing—during a time of grief.

Today, consider one way you might give—not out of obligation, but out of joy. Ask God to show you someone who needs encouragement, and offer it freely. Let your giving be a quiet echo of Jesus’ love, and know the blessing will ripple far beyond what you can see.

Lord Jesus, you gave yourself for us—freely, fully, and without condition. Teach us to give with your heart. May our generosity be a reflection of your grace, and may we find joy not in what we hold but in what we share. Amen.

Peace & Grace,

Pastor Tim