More Blessed to Give

As Paul finished his third missionary journey, he stopped at Miletus on his way back to Jerusalem. From there he sent for the elders of the church in Ephesus who came down to see him for a final goodbye. His words highlight the powerful service he had rendered among them. He said to them, “Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house…. Neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God…. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears…. I have shewed you all things, how that 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” (Acts 20:18-35). From these heartfelt words we get a sense for how faithfully Paul served the people of Ephesus for those three years, giving of himself and laboring with all he had to bless them in the gospel. This statement of the Savior’s that he quoted is not found in the four gospels, but it is a powerful truth that should inspire us to follow the example that Paul showed. We will be happiest as we seek to serve others instead of trying only to receive for ourselves. Paul’s selfless service over decades as a missionary showed that he truly believed this counsel from the Savior.

               Though that exact phrase that Paul quoted from the Savior is not found among His teachings in the four gospels, other statements He made are similar. For example, in the Sermon on the Mount He said, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). In what we call the golden rule, the Savior taught us that the whole law should point us towards treating others as we would want to be treated; we should give to them of our kindness as we would want to be given. In Luke’s account of similar teachings from the Savior, we have these words: “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great…. Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:35, 38). Perhaps this might be summarized by saying to give is to receive, for as we give freely to others it will in the end return unto us. Perhaps most similar to the message quoted by Paul is what the Lord taught His apostles at the Last Supper. After washing their feet, He said, “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:14-17). He showed that He was there to give, not receive, and He taught with the powerful example of washing their feet that they too should seek to serve. And if they did, they would indeed be “more blessed” as Paul’s statement suggests, for they would be happy. And so that is the invitation for all of us who seek to follow the Savior—if we want to be happy we must seek to serve as He did; if we want to be blessed we must seek first to give instead of to receive. Then we might, like Paul, “finish [our] course with joy.”