Family Devotions and Bible Readings

S     Acts 20:35 ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

O     The temporary pleasure that we receive from acquiring possessions pale in comparison with the blessings of giving. By giving instead of receiving we receive the blessings of helping someone, the blessings of knowing that instead of satisfying our shallow desire for material possessions, we helped someone in their time of need. By giving instead of receiving we demonstrate God’s love towards the other person, a love that is selfless and pure, a love that has the other person’s need as our need, the other person’s suffering as our suffering, the other person need for salvation as our need for salvation.

A      It is more blessed to give, and now that we have received such a great gift as the gift of salvation, what a blessing it is to move forward and give others the news of such a gift. I sometimes allow tiredness, full schedules, and other minor issues to stop me from sharing the good news of salvation with others. But I am now changing my way of living and setting my priorities straight. Living day to day just to pay bills, etc is not the life of a believer. I need to give others what I so abundantly received, God’s gift of salvation, His forgiveness, His love, His kindness, in essence His Son.

P     Lord, give me wisdom in how to re-structure my life, my finances, my everything so that Your priorities are my priorities. Father teach me to give love as You give it. Teach me to give of myself as Christ did. Teach me that it is more blessed to give than it is to receive. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.