Leviticus 20-22; Acts 20

Acts 20:32-35

And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one's silver or gold or clothes. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. 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 to receive."

Paul would have made a terrible televangelist, don't you think? He talks about working with his own hands to meet his and other people's needs. He didn't covet or desire gold, silver or fine clothes. And shouldn't he have used that "more blessed to give..." quote from Jesus the way some modern preachers do? Isn't that supposed to guilt people into giving to the ministry of the preacher? How could Paul have ever gotten a TV program with such a backwards approach?

I have nothing against a ministry telling people they have a financial need. There are so many good ones out there that are having quite an impact and could do even more with additional resources. And I really respect individuals when they humbly express needs they may have. Maybe it's because I do enjoy giving. Knowing about needs creates an opportunity for me to give. And it's one way of being the body to one another. But at times it is frustrating, wishing I had so much more available to give.

Of course Paul's goal wasn't personal comfort, or fame and fortune. And monetery giving wasn't really the point. He wanted to proclaim Christ and serve The Lord with his life. And he led by example, worked hard, and cared for the needs of others. He embodied the blessedness that came from giving rather than receiving. Earlier in this chapter he even talks about serving with humility, many tears and trials, and holding nothing back. You can't get much more giving than that. Use what you have, everything that you have, to build up the body as well as increase the number of those who share in His inheritance for us.