Acts 20:35 I have showed you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus… These words suggest three things in relation to Christ. 1. The unrecorded portions of His words. 2. The unworldly character of His teaching. 3. The unselfish character of His life. The text suggests — I. THAT RECEIVING AND COMMUNICATING ARE THE TWO GRAND FUNCTIONS OF LIFE. 1. Man has acquisitive tendencies and powers. His desire for getting is ever active and ineradicable. 2. Man has the impartive tendencies and powers. His social and religious instincts urge him to give what he has attained. II. THAT THE EIGHT DISCHARGE OF BOTH THESE FUNCTIONS IS BLESSEDNESS. This is implied by the word "more." To receive in a right spirit, and for right ends, is a truly blessed thing. 1. Receiving as the reward of effort is blessedness. It is natural to feel happiness when the result laboured for has been reached. 2. Receiving as a consciousness of fresh power is blessedness. A conscious augmentation of our powers and resources is joy. 3. Receiving with religious gratitude is blessedness. Gratitude is joy; it is the inspiration of Heaven's anthems. III. THAT THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE RIGHT DISCHARGE OF THE COMMUNICATING FUNCTION IS THE GREATER. "It is more blessed," etc., because — 1. It is more spiritualising. Every generous, disinterested act tends to detach the soul from the material and temporary, and to ally it with the spiritual and eternal. The man who is constantly gaining and not giving, becomes more and more the slave of selfishness, materialism, and time. 2. It is more socialising. In giving you awaken in the social sphere sympathy, gratitude, and admiration. The loving man awakens love, and happiness has been defined as loving and being loved. 3. It is more God-assimilating. God gives, but cannot receive. He gives all, and only gives. The nearer we approach to God the more blessed we are. Cicero says that "men resemble the gods in nothing so much as in doing good to their fellow creatures." (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
    |