As we begin a new year, I want to start a series of messages called A Generous Life. Our generous God has called His followers to live a generous life. We may hear and even agree with that, but how do we do that? That is what I want to look at we begin 2023.

We have just come out of a season where we were encouraged to count our blessings. Thanksgiving and Christmas are times when we remember just how generous God has been to us. We take those moments to remember the blessings that He has placed in our lives. 

As a new year dawns, it is an opportunity to take inventory of the blessings that we have received and to see how we can best steward those blessings.

Today, I want to look at Paul’s farewell words to the Ephesians elders found in Acts 20. Paul is getting ready to head to Jerusalem for what might be the last time. He knows that some in that city want him dead. He had been warned numerous times that trouble awaited him in Jerusalem, but he knew that the Holy Spirit was leading him to go there. 

As Paul gathers these dearly loved saints one time (maybe for the last time), he shares with them some truths about the blessings that God gives His children.

I. God has blessed His children with an inheritance

Paul talks a little about this inheritance in verse 32. He says that it is an inheritance that is shared among all who are sanctified. This is speaking about any person who has put their faith in Jesus Christ alone. 

An inheritance is a treasure kept for someone until an appropriate time. We often think about inheritances as something we may get when a loved one passes away. It can also be considered something held for a child until they are of age and can manage it well. 

Peter talks about this inheritance in 1 Peter 1:3-4.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 

1 Peter 1:3-4 CSB

This inheritance is a treasure that God has set aside and is kept in heaven for us. It cannot decrease in value. No one can take it away from us. 

Because we have this great inheritance being guarded in heaven for us, we do not need to covet the treasures of this world. Every single treasure in this life can decrease in value or be stolen from us. This is why Paul said he didn’t covet anyone’s silver or gold in verse 33. 

There is nothing wrong with possessions or things in this world until attaining them becomes the desire of our hearts. Think about this: you could gain all the treasures in the world, but when you take your final breath, they become someone else’s property. 

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

Matthew 6:33 CSB

Understanding that our treasure is in heaven is a key to living a generous life. You begin to realize that the “stuff” you have here may be to help others with – a tool for ministry.

II. God has blessed His children with abilities

In Acts 20:34, Paul shares another truth about God’s blessings. He talks about how he had been given the ability to work and support the ministry given to him.

Do we realize the talents and abilities we possess have been given to us by God for a purpose? We talk about this many times, but I’m not sure we get it. We say, “that person has so much God-given talent.” 

Every single talent or ability that we possess was woven into the fabric of our being by our Creator. He knew what we would need to do what He has called us to do. Not everyone has the same set of gifts in this area. That is because not everyone is called to do the same thing. Just because our talents are not the same as others does not mean they are any less important. 

God has given the talents and abilities to His children so they may be stewarded well. That means we use them the way God intends them to be used. 

We must discover what these gifts are that God has given to us and how He wants us to use them. If we are not doing that, we abuse God’s precious gifts and hurt others. 

Paul had other talents besides preaching and traveling. He was apparently a good tent-maker. He was willing to use those talents to provide the funding for the ministry God had given to him. Paul was willing to put all the talents God had given him to work for His glory. 

The Bible has something strong to say about those who refuse to do this: In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10 CSB).

III. God has blessed His children with the opportunity to serve

Paul’s concluding remarks to the Ephesian elders were to take advantage of the opportunity to serve others in Jesus’ name (Acts 20:35).

Paul even quotes Jesus’ words, saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” 

My, how that statement flies in the face of our culture today. Our culture today says to look out for #1. Get yours. You can’t help everyone. 

I remember the story of a man walking along the beach one day. He would come across a starfish, pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. When asked what he was doing, the man replied, “I’m helping these starfish by putting them back into the water.” The person who asked said, “There is no way that you could help every one of them.” The man replied, “You might be right, but I helped that one… and that one… and that one.”

With the resources that God gifts us, He will also bless us with opportunities to use those resources in service. We must make a conscious effort to recognize and give in those moments. We won’t just accidentally do it. We must be ready and alert for the opportunities. 

Conclusion

Paul knew that God had blessed His children in so many ways. He wanted to make sure that if this were the last time he would see these Ephesians, they were aware of the blessings they had. 

The same message applies to each of us today as we hear these words: we have been blessed to bless others. The blessings that God pours on us are not just for our benefit. Will they do us well and meet our needs? YES! But we often find that a portion of the blessing God gives us is to be passed on to others. 

Our God is a generous God. He is calling His people to be generous as well. As this year unfolds, let us recognize the blessings that God has given to us. Let us enjoy them. But let us also understand what God wants us to do with them. Let’s reflect our generous God to those around us by being generous as well.