More blessed to give (Acts 20:35): Meaning, Reflection and Prayer

What does “More blessed to give” mean in Acts 20:35?

Paul quotes a saying of Jesus that is not recorded in the Gospels. He uses it to encourage the elders at Ephesus to work hard and support the weak.

Going deeper

Paul reminds the elders of his own example, and he ends with a word of Jesus: so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Paul had worked with his own hands so that he would not burden anyone, and he had helped others. He learned that giving carries its own reward, a kind of happiness that people miss when they only receive.

It might be worth testing this for yourself. Choose something to give this week: time, money, food, a skill, or attention. Give it quietly, and notice how you feel afterward. Many people find that they are lifted by giving more than they expected. It also takes our eyes off our own worries. As you give, remember that you are following Jesus, who gave everything. Let generosity become one of the steady habits of your life.