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Paul the apostle concludes his farewell message to the elders of the Ephesian Church with a two-point exhortation:"... I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified... (and)... 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. "
The two thoughts are inter-related, the second flowing from the first.
Last words are important and significant. What better thing could Paul do for the leaders of the church at Ephesus than to “... commend them to God, and to the word of his grace" which was most needful for their spiritual well being, to comfort, strengthen and revive.
Spiritual building up of the body of Christ, of both elders and members, is first priority in the work of the Church, even as Peter (who had been commissioned three times by the Lord to “feed my sheep”) concluded his letter: "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" ( 2 Pet 3:18 ).
The word of grace and promise of God alone is able to build up and establish the Church in the most holy faith, and to give the members an inheritance among the people of God.
This word, confirmed in our hearts by the witness of the indwelling Spirit, assures us of our inheritance which is"... incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved” for us ( 1 Pet 1:4 ), and surpasses all earthly wealth. Thank God for the witness of the Spirit which seals God’s promises and makes them real, even though we do not see them now.
We, sons God, and heirs, and citizens of the heavenly kingdom, no longer belong to the world, neither do we have any part in it. We are merely sojourners, passing through. For this reason we have a different attitude to the world and the things of the world.
As soon as we realise our true status, the world and the things of the world pale into insignificance: we view them with an eye of indifference and detachment.
Now let us consider the second point: it is more blessed to give than to receive. At first sight this statement seems paradoxical: how can one who gives away a thousand be happier than another who receives the same?
The child of God already assured of an inheritance in heaven, reserved and secure, is to do good to others with what he receives from God, rather than to keep increasing his wealth.
Paul’s advice is: "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare..." ( 1 Tim 6:8,9 ).
The lesson for us is, when the Lord gives a surplus, let us consider how this can become a blessing to others, rather than to enrich ourselves.
In 2 Cor 9:6-8 , Paul speaks of sowing and reaping. To extend material aid to those in need is like sowing. Today when we give it seems that the money is gone (like seed disappeared into the ground). But another day, in the future, a happy reaping is assured.
How can one reap if one does not sow? And the reaping is much more than what was sown!
The implication is clear. As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, it is our blessing to use what funds God has sent our way, to help those in need "not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
To those who obey in faith, God’s word promises: "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." There is wonderful blessing when, in obedience to God’s word, we give in faith, to please Him.
In 1964 I delivered a baby girl for a certain member of the Church. On the seventh day, I received a distress call from her: “Doctor, come quick, my husband just fainted. ” When I arrived at her hospital bed, the husband was dead.
Mrs K cried: “Lord, why did You take away my husband? You know he was the sole support of the family. What shall we do? ”
What would you have done?
At home, we had a discussion. My wife suggested: “We have the outhouse with two rooms, a kitchen, a shower room, and a toilet. Let us do some renovation, add an awning for more shelter from rain and sun. That will make a modest quarter for the family. ”
After the burial, we spoke to the widow, “Mrs K, we would like to offer you the shelter of our house. There are two rooms for you and your four children, with a kitchen and bathroom and toilet. If you stay with us, you will be able to let out your house. That income will sustain your family. ”
Mrs K and four children moved in and settled into their new dwelling. Together with our family of four children, we had nightly Family Worship. For two years, the K family shared our facilities and came under our wing, until they found alternative accommodation.
During the two years the rental from their house helped the family through a difficult period. Today, forty-one years later, the four children are well established in society, all believing Christians with their own families. One is a successful investment banker, another is married to an engineer.
Truly, as the Lord had said, it was more blessed to give than to receive.
Our days on earth will soon be over. Let us do whatever good we can now, while the day of opportunity is here. Let us do good to all men, especially God’s servants and those who are of the household of faith. Think of the sick, the old and infirm. Let our almsgiving be God honouring and free.
Riches imparted after God’s plan are the riches which remain. “Freely ye have received, freely give. ”
Consider the good that we can do with our present resources and do it now. When death calls, whose will those things be? And what if Christ our Lord should come today, whatever is left will fall into the hands of Antichrist. Be wise, my friend, give now to Christ.
"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" ( 2 Cor 9:6-8 ).
Finally, the words of William Penn, founder of Pensylvania State, USA: “I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now... for I shall not pass this way again. ”