Live to Give

By Danny Saavedra

"And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" Acts 20:35 (NLT)

In today’s verse, we’re told it’s more blessed to give than to receive. You, the giver, are more blessed by giving than you would be by receiving something. Why? Because in giving, you receive the joy of the recipient and you enjoy the fruit of faithfulness and obedience.

True generosity is a response to our Father and His immeasurable generosity. It’s an outpouring of His love, compassion, grace, kindness, and the servant-hearted nature of Christ spilling out of us. It’s a byproduct of our growing, healthy discipleship journey—as we are conformed to the image of Christ, we begin to live and act more like Christ. 

What we’ve seen working in our church and in the lives of so many who have come before us is that generosity in the little things leads to generosity in the large things! When we are lavish givers in the minor areas of life, we bear fruit in the major areas of our lives. 

So, my simple encouragement to you is this: Practice generosity today!

It’s a discipline. It doesn’t come automatically or easily. So, start small and work your way up, just like you would with physical exercise. When you start seeing its effects, it will become its own reward. You’ll see it as an opportunity not a duty, as a response to God not a responsibility. 

Generosity can be the new apologetic, the new evangelism. It can be the catalyst for a gospel revolution in our city and world. If you look at early church history, you can see the Church was respected for being generous. This was a huge contrast to the established Roman culture. It’s the same way today. Western culture is immensely self-driven, self-motivated, and self-centered. What do I get out of it? What’s in it for me? I’m looking out for number one. You do you, let me do me. I must do what’s best for me. 

Let’s be different, Christ-followers! Let’s put on Christ and live a lifestyle of lavish, extravagant, service-oriented, excited, joyful generosity! Let the Church be known once again for being generous, not motivated by a works mentality, but by a desire to glorify God. 

We’re so glad you participated in this 20-day journey with us. We hope the Lord has used these devotionals to impact your life and draw you closer to Him, and that you’ve already begun to put these principles and habits into practice. I promise you your life will change drastically as you walk fully in the good life. And I promise as you respond to God's voice and walk in His will, you will experience fulfillment, blessing, and joy in ways you never thought possible.

PAUSE: Why is it more blessed to give than to receive?

PRACTICE: Be generous this week! Tip your server an extra buck or two. Spend five minutes praying with someone—right then and there—instead of just saying you’ll be praying. Pay for someone in line behind you at a coffee shop or in the grocery store. Phone a family member or friend. Listen and encourage. Forgive. Let go of grudges. Practice extravagant kindness.

PRAY: Father, I pray Your generosity would flow out of me into the lives of others, and that it would be a catalyst, a seed that draws them closer to You and into relationship with Your Son! Amen.