All In

Scripture:
Acts 20:35 — “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than receive.’”

Observation:
I’ve always been amazed at Paul’s boldness to use Himself as an example to other Christians. He did so, yet he could also claim humility (verse 19) as well. I really don’t get a sense of self-pride in his recorded words to the elders from Ephesus. Rather, Paul simply states the facts of his outstanding service with absolutely no apology. His life was a witness of Jesus’ words that he quoted in verse 35, “it is more blessed to give than receive.” For the sake of the Gospel Paul underwent trials, testified in homes and in public, raised his own money, and submitted himself to a life of missions and service. He wasn’t arrogant about this, but he was confidant in his own faithfulness. The great outpouring of love the elders showed him at the end of this chapter is proof that his confidence was well-founded.
 
Application:
Paul’s complete comfort with his own faithfulness is testimony of the strength of his own integrity. That he set himself up as an example to other believers without blinking an eye shows me that he had no worries of skeletons in his closet coming out into the open or secret compromises becoming revealed. This high level of righteousness came through his abandonment to service in Christ. Paul truly was all in for Jesus. I get this concept today and I want it so badly. I want to be so completely sold out to the cause of Christ that I’m completely comfortable with my own Christian witness. Yet, even now I begin to think about the people closest to me… the ones who know me at my worst. What would “So-and-So” say if I told him to “follow my example”? The thought is a great motivator to cling to Jesus and allow Him to mold me into a “giver” rather than the selfish “receiver” that my flesh tempts me to be.
 
One more thing today: this text also makes me think about the sin of false-humility. It seems like so many of us work so hard to deflect, deny, and self-depreciate all in an effort to stay humble. Yet if God has empowered us to do something, or bestowed a gift or talent upon us, or blessed us with God honoring character qualities we should praise God for His great goodness. It is not true humility to leave God’s blessings unrecognized. Instead, we should acknowledge the working of God in our lives and take care never to attribute His good gifts to ourselves. This is a much truer picture of real humility.
 
Prayer:
My Lord, I want to be totally abandoned to Your service. I want to know the blessings of a life of giving and deny that part of me that longs to be a receiver. I celebrate this morning the good gifts You have given me and I pray that You would use me in Your service for Your glory alone.

— Curt Hale, children’s pastor