Acts 20 - CEVUS06 & KBTP

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Giving is a powerful act that reflects the heart of God and His desire for us to live generously. Throughout the Bible, we find numerous teachings that emphasize the importance and impact of giving. Whether it’s through offering our time, resources, or love, the act of giving not only blesses others but also enriches our own lives. Here are seven Bible verses that highlight the power of giving and encourage us to embrace a life of generosity.

1. Acts 20:35 “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

When we give to others, especially those in need, we are not only helping them but also experiencing the joy and fulfillment that comes from generosity. It reminds us that true happiness is found in selflessness.

2. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

The emphasis on giving cheerfully reminds us that our attitude matters. God values a heart that gives freely and joyfully, knowing that our contributions can lead to abundant blessings.

3. Proverbs 11:25 “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

Generosity is not just about meeting the needs of others; it also brings personal renewal and prosperity. When we give, we often receive in return, not necessarily in material wealth, but in spiritual and emotional well-being. The act of giving refreshes both the giver and the recipient.

4. Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Jesus emphasizes the abundance that comes from giving. The imagery of a generous measure being returned to us illustrates that our giving will not go unnoticed or unrewarded. When we give with an open heart, we can expect God’s blessings to overflow in our lives.

5. Matthew 6:3-4 “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

We should give quietly and humbly, without seeking recognition or praise. The focus is on the sincerity and purity of our giving. God sees our acts of kindness, even when they are done in secret, and He will reward us accordingly. It reminds us that true giving is done for the benefit of others, not for personal glory.

6. Hebrews 13:16 “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Sharing what we have with others is a sacrifice that pleases God. This verse highlights the importance of being mindful of others’ needs and taking action to meet them. It serves as a reminder that our acts of generosity are not just good deeds; they are expressions of our faith and love for God.

7. James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

All we have comes from God. Recognizing that every gift we receive is from Him encourages us to be generous in sharing those gifts with others. When we give, we are participating in God’s work, distributing His blessings to those around us.

Conclusion

The Bible teaches that giving is a powerful way to express our faith, love, and gratitude. These verses reveal that generosity not only impacts those we help but also enriches our own lives, bringing us closer to God and His purposes. Whether through our resources, time, or compassion, giving allows us to reflect God’s love in a tangible way, creating a ripple effect of blessings that extend far beyond what we can see. By embracing a spirit of generosity, we open ourselves up to experience the fullness of life that God desires for us.

Paul Goes through Macedonia and Greece

1 When the riot was over, Paul sent for the followers and encouraged them. He then told them goodbye and left for Macedonia. 2 As he traveled from place to place, he encouraged the followers with many messages. Finally, he went to Greece 3 and stayed there for three months.

Paul was about to sail to Syria. But some of the Jewish leaders plotted against him, so he decided to return by way of Macedonia. 4 With him were Sopater, son of Pyrrhus from Berea, and Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica. Gaius from Derbe was also with him, and so were Timothy and the two Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 They went on ahead to Troas and waited for us there. 6 After the Festival of Thin Bread, we sailed from Philippi. Five days later we met them in Troas and stayed there for a week.

Paul's Last Visit to Troas

7 On the first day of the week we met to break bread together. Paul spoke to the people until midnight because he was leaving the next morning. 8 In the upstairs room where we were meeting, there were a lot of lamps. 9 A young man by the name of Eutychus was sitting on a window sill. While Paul was speaking, the young man got very sleepy. Finally, he went to sleep and fell three floors all the way down to the ground. When they picked him up, he was dead.

10 Paul went down and bent over Eutychus. He took him in his arms and said, “Don't worry! He's alive.” 11 After Paul had gone back upstairs, he broke bread, and ate with us. He then spoke until dawn and left. 12 Then the followers took the young man home alive and were very happy.

The Voyage from Troas to Miletus

13 Paul decided to travel by land to Assos. The rest of us went on ahead by ship, and we were to take him aboard there. 14 When he met us in Assos, he came aboard, and we sailed on to Mitylene. 15 The next day we came to a place near Chios, and the following day we reached Samos. The day after that we sailed to Miletus. 16 Paul had decided to sail on past Ephesus, because he did not want to spend too much time in Asia. He was in a hurry and wanted to be in Jerusalem in time for Pentecost.

Paul Says Goodbye to the Church Leaders of Ephesus

17 From Miletus, Paul sent a message for the church leaders at Ephesus to come and meet with him. 18 When they got there, he said:

You know everything I did during the time I was with you when I first came to Asia. 19 Some of the Jews plotted against me and caused me a lot of sorrow and trouble. But I served the Lord and was humble. 20 When I preached in public or taught in your homes, I didn't hold back from telling anything that would help you. 21 I told Jews and Gentiles to turn to God and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

22 I don't know what will happen to me in Jerusalem, but I must obey God's Spirit and go there. 23 In every city I visit, I am told by the Holy Spirit that I will be put in jail and will be in trouble in Jerusalem. 24 But I don't care what happens to me, as long as I finish the work the Lord Jesus gave me to do. And this work is to tell the good news about God's gift of undeserved grace.

25 I have gone from place to place, preaching to you about God's kingdom, but now I know that none of you will ever see me again. 26 I tell you today I am no longer responsible for any of you! 27 I have told you everything God wants you to know. 28 Look after yourselves and everyone the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be like shepherds to God's church. It is the flock he bought with the blood of his own Son.

29 I know that after I am gone, others will come like fierce wolves to attack you. 30 Some of your own people will tell lies to win over the Lord's followers. 31 Be on your guard! Remember how day and night for three years I kept warning you with tears in my eyes.

Give to Bless, Not to Receive

Father, thank You for the reminder that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Help me to give selflessly, expecting nothing in return. Teach me to find joy in the act of blessing others and to reflect Your love in all I do. Amen.

7 Bible Verses About the Power of Giving

32 I now place you in God's care. Remember the message about his gift of undeserved grace! This message can help you and give you what belongs to you as God's people. 33 I have never wanted anyone's money or clothes. 34 You know how I have worked with my own hands to make a living for myself and my friends. 35

By everything I did, I showed how you should work to help everyone who is weak. Remember that our Lord Jesus said, “More blessings come from giving than from receiving.”

36 After Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 Everyone cried and hugged and kissed him. 38 They were especially sad because Paul had told them, “You will never see me again.”

Then they went with him to the ship.

Ku Makedoniya ne Giriki

1 Shule kwe zhoba yapela, Paulo kadana badiyiwa ngono kabawoneka nge matama ano kulumbidza. Ipapo kamilika kayenda ku Makedoniya. 2 Kapalama mituthu iyeyo, ngono kakulumbidza bathu nge matama manjinji. Ipapo kaswika ku Giriki. 3 Kapitsha mwedzi ili mitatu ikoko. Kukati Bajuta belangana nge kukwe, iye kabe abe pejo nge kuyenda nge ikepe ku Siriya akazwimisila kupinda nge Makedoniya. 4 Sopata we Bhereya ali nkololo wa Piro, kayenda naye; na Arisitako na Sekundo bedwa ku Tesalonika; na Gayo, edwa ku Debhe; Tikikasi na Tirofimo, bedwa ku ntuthu we Ezhiya na Timoti. 5 Bakayendila mbeli bakanotimilila mu Tiroasi. 6 Takayenda nge gungwa kudwa mu Filipi shule kwe Nshingo we tjiwunga tjisina mbidzo, ngono shule kwe mazhuba mashanu tikabhatana nabo mu Tiroasi, iko kwatakapitsha mazhuba ali kutendeka.

Kukumba kwe bupelo kwa Paulo ku Tiroasi

7 Ngono nge zhuba le kutanga mu tshipi madekwana tikakubunganila kukobana zojiwa. Paulo kalebeleka nge bathu ngono kadwilila kuswikila pakati kwe busiku, se akabe emuka eyenda. 8 Mavone manjinji akabe ethuta mu ng'umba ipezhugwi kwatakabe tashanganila. 9 Mmwe nzhuzha wakabe edang'wa Yutiko wakabe ali gele pa fesitere katshumwayila, shule kabhakhwa nge hwope Paulo atjakadwilila ngolebeleka nge bulefu, kakuligwa nge hwope ngono kawila pasi edwa ku ng'umba ye butatu pezhugwi. Bakati bennunga, kabe afa. 10 Koga Paulo kadeluka kakotama ngono kan'gumbatila. Kati, “Musidziyidzike unotjila!” 11 Paulo kati abgwilila pezhugwi, kapemula tjiwunga kaja, ngono kalebeleka nabo tjibaka tjilefu kudzina zhuba libhuda, ndizo kayenda. 12 Bakayenda ne nzhuzha kanyi etjila, ngono bakanyaladzika kwazo.

Kudwa ku Tiroasi kunoti Mileto

13 Takayendila mbeli ku ikepe ngono tikayenda nge gungwa ku Asosi, kwatakabe tinotathisa Paulo. Wakabe alongolosa sa ikoko, ngobe iye nge kukwe wakabe akazwimisila kuyenda nge makumbo. 14 Kati eshangana naswi mu Asosi tikantathisa ngono tikayenda ku Mitilene. 15 Tikayenda nge gungwa kudwa ipapo, ngono tikaswika kwakalingisana ne Kiyosi tjimuka. Shule kwe zhuba ling'ompela tikaswika ku Samosi, ngono tjimuka tikaswika ku Mileto. 16 Paulo wakabe akumbula kuyenda nge gungwa epinda nge mu Efeso, kuti asilashe tjibaka mu ntuthu we Ezhiya ngoti wakabe elibilidzila kube yapo mu Jerusalema nge zhuba le Pentekosite, ha kwakabe kutubuka.

Ndebeleko ye kuwoneka kwa Paulo ku bakulu be Efeso

17 Kudwa mu Mileto Paulo kayisa thumo ku Efeso, kudana bakulu be gubungano kuti bazhe kunli. 18 Bakati baswika kati ku bali, “Imwi nge kwenyu moziba sekwa ndakatjila pakati kwenyu kudwa mu zhuba le kutanga nditshamba mu Ezhiya. 19 Ndakashingila She nge kuzwiyisa pasi kose nenge mishodzi nenge ndiko dzakazha kundili nge milangano ye Bajuta. 20 Moziba kuti akuna tjandakasumbika tjakabe tjina bhatsho mu muli se ndakabe ndisumikila ndidiya patjena ne kudwa mu ng'umba ndiyenda kuyimwe. 21 Ndakalebeleka ne Bajuta ne Bezwitjaba ngekwe kushandukila ku Ndzimu nenge kugalamoyo muna She wedu Jesu. 22 Ngono ngwenu, mu kuhwa Meya, ndoyenda ku Jerusalema, ndisingazibe tjinowonondishingikalalila ikoko, 23 kuzhe kwe kuti Meya yakayengemala inolebeleka nami kuti mu nzi mmwe ne mmwe busungwa nenge kudziyidziwa zwakandilinda. 24 Koga anditotola butjilo gwangu guna themba kene gudika kundili, ndoshaka koga kuwidza thumo yangu ne kupedza nshingo She Jesu wabakandipa kuushinga. Iwo, kuleba ndebo mbuya ngekwe ngoni dze Ndzimu.

25 “Bonani ndoziba kuti imwi mose bandakayenda pakati kwenyu ndisumikila ngekwe bushe gwe Ndzimu amutjowobona tjiso tjangu. 26 Ndizo ndomubudza ndisimisa mu zhuba lino nditi, ha mmwe wenyu angalashika, andina nlandu. 27 Ngobe andizotongo sumbika kumubudza ngekwe kuda kose kwe Ndzimu. 28 Ndizo muzwilise, mulise pkhwizi dzose dzamakalisisiwa nge Meya yakayengemala, kutjengeta gubungano le Ndzimu, lawakathama nge malopa e Nkololo wawo. 29 Ndoziba kuti shule kwe ndayenda, phele dzinotjisa dzowozha pakati kwenyu, ngono adzitowotjidza pkhwizi. 30 Tjibaka tjowozha tjinowoti balume bamwe banodwa mu muli bakaleba manyepkhwa kupambusila bagalimoyo ku bali. 31 Ndizo, ibeni nge njele, mualakane kuti mu makole matatu, andizoletja kutjemela siku ne sikati mmwe ne mmwe wenyu ndilila.

32 “Ngono ngwenu ndomuyisa mu kutjengeta kwe Ndzimu ne mu dama le ngoni dzawo, ilo linotubula kumubumba likamupa thaka Ndzimu yaunayo kupa bayengemadziwa bawo. 33 Andizotongo yemula siliva kene golide kene zwiambalo zwimwe. 34 Imwi nge kwenyu moziba kuti ndakashinga ndi iyawa maboko angu kuwana tjimwe ne tjimwe tjakabe tjishakwa nge bakwinya bangu kose nami. 35 Ndakamulakidza mu zwithu zose kuti ngoshinga kwazo mu zila iyeyi takafanilo bhatsha basakasima tikumbula matama akalebgwa ndi She Jesu eti, ‘Kupa kwakakombolegwa pana kupiwa!’ ”

36 Paulo kati epedza, kathigama pasi katembezela nabo bose. 37 Bakalila bose ben'gumbatila bemputa. 38 Bakabe bali mu buyendasi kwazo, ngobe wakabe ati abatjowombona kakale. Ndizo bakampeleka ku ikepe.