Thought for the Week

As we conclude Acts Chapter 20, Paul is reminding the elders from Ephesus of his ministry. To some, it might sound like he is boasting but that is not so. He says he spent three years with them. He warned them boldly both day and night. He now commends them to God and the word of His grace. I firmly believe he has told them everything he needed too. Now, as he commends them to God, he is trusting a word of Jesus Who told His disciples He was entrusting them to the Holy Spirit, Who would take His sayings given to them and call them to remembrance when needed.

Likely it has happened to you. You are in the midst of some sort of test or trial and a passage of Scripture jumps into your head. You may not have thought of that Scripture for years. But, there, at just the right time you remember and the solution to your test or trial is at hand. God, in His grace, has given you an answer, perhaps just general in nature, but it seems tailor made for you in that circumstance. God has given them an inheritance.

We often think of that inheritance as a home in Heaven for eternity. But an inheritance is just as surely something that can be used right here, right now. That is what the unlocking of Scripture is. That is what the whisper of the Holy Spirit is. That is what the support and fellowship of the Church is. It is God's grace operative and powerful in the Christian's life to sanctify him and make and keep him pure and holy. From his own experiences Paul exonerates himself as not coveting what anyone else claims. He names not coveting silver or gold, but surely he does not desire anything else belonging to another.

In another Scripture, Paul tells the Church he has learned in whatsoever state he finds himself, he is content. He also tells them he has supported himself and those on his team by the labor of his own hands. He was both a physical workman and a spiritual laborer for Christ. He also quotes Jesus as saying "It is more blessed to give than to receive." I cannot find that quote in Scripture but have no doubt Jesus said it. His own life exemplifies it. His encouragement toward ministry teaches it. "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Truly the giver receives a blessing from God. But the receiver gives room and space for God to bless the one who gave to him. God blesses givers, He blesses receivers, He blesses faithful stewards, He blesses cheerful givers. God is in the blessing business. Rejoice, be glad you can be involved in the blessing operations of God.

With these teachings and encouragements given, Paul and his friends kneel and pray. They weep at the anticipation of parting. It many not be they will see one another again. Paul gives them kisses, as a clear token of love for them. He gives them his blessing. Wouldn't you be glad to receive such a blessing from Paul? You can't. You can give a blessing to your sisters and brothers in Christ and they will be glad to receive it.