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Season of Giving, Part 1 - More Blessed to Give

Photo by Dang Truong on Unsplash

Scripture Reading:
“In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35, RSV).


There’s a certain kind of joy that comes when we give. It’s a joy not rooted in having abundance, but in participating in something bigger than ourselves. Jesus himself summarized it this way: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

This verse surfaces at the close of Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders, a moment heavy with urgency, love, and faithfulness. As he prepared to depart, Paul didn’t just remind them of sound doctrine—he reminded them of the heart posture that sustains the church: generous, sacrificial giving.

A Modern Example

The story of Shannon Randolph is one worth remembering. Shannon Randolph was fifty-three
years of age. A high school dropout at the age of fourteen, he had earned his living mostly by dishwashing and odd jobs, including splitting firewood. He had first gone to the Salvation Army in Fort Worth, Texas, for lodging and food in 1969. Later, he got a job at the Salvation Army as a lodge man, the man who awakened the others in the morning and got them moving downstairs for breakfast. The job paid room
and board and $140 per month. Despite hardship, loss, and physical suffering, when he received a compensation check—the largest sum of money he had ever seen—his first instinct was to give. With a smile, he simply said, “It just makes you feel good inside.” (The Gospel of John, Daily Study Bible, rev. ed. [Philadelphia: Westminster, 1975], 137)

That small testimony echoes the words of Jesus. True blessing is found not in holding on, but in letting go.

Three Principles of Giving

1. It is good to give when you know where the money goes.
Paul reminded the church that he worked with his own hands. He modeled transparency, accountability, and integrity. Likewise, giving to the church is not a blind investment—it is a way of ensuring that God’s work continues in your community and beyond.

2. It is good to give when you know what the gift shows.
Giving is a visible sign of involvement, interest, and initiative. When we give, we declare that God’s mission matters to us, and that we are invested not just with our words but with our resources.

3. It is good to give when you know that the church grows.
The health and future of the church depend on the faithful generosity of its people. Paul’s reminder was clear: for the gospel to expand, the church must continue to give, to serve, and to remain faithful to Christ.

The Heart of the Matter

Jesus did not just talk about giving—he embodied it. The blessing of giving finds its ultimate expression in Christ’s sacrifice. He gave his life so that we might live. Paul, too, gave his life in service to the Savior.

So we are left with a question: How will we demonstrate that same principle?

Reflection Questions for the Season of Giving

  1. When you think about your own giving, do you see it as an obligation or as an opportunity?

  2. How does your giving reflect your heart’s involvement in God’s work?

  3. Where do you sense God inviting you to grow in generosity this season?

Closing Thought

The Season of Giving is more than just a holiday slogan. It’s a way of life shaped by the words of Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” May this season be one where our hearts and hands open wide—because when we give, we step into the joy of Christ himself.

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