Acts 20 - GNTD & HBN

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.

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.

To Macedonia and Achaia

1 After the uproar died down, Paul called together the believers and with words of encouragement said good-bye to them. Then he left and went on to Macedonia. 2 He went through those regions and encouraged the people with many messages. Then he came to Achaia, 3 where he stayed three months. He was getting ready to go to Syria when he discovered that there were Jews plotting against him; so he decided to go back through Macedonia. 4 Sopater son of Pyrrhus, from Berea, went with him; so did Aristarchus and Secundus, from Thessalonica; Gaius, from Derbe; Tychicus and Trophimus, from the province of Asia; and Timothy. 5 They went ahead and waited for us in Troas. 6 We sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later we joined them in Troas, where we spent a week.

Paul's Last Visit to Troas

7 On Saturday evening we gathered together for the fellowship meal. Paul spoke to the people and kept on speaking until midnight, since he was going to leave the next day. 8 Many lamps were burning in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 A young man named Eutychus was sitting in the window, and as Paul kept on talking, Eutychus got sleepier and sleepier, until he finally went sound asleep and fell from the third story to the ground. When they picked him up, he was dead. 10 But Paul went down and threw himself on him and hugged him. “Don't worry,” he said, “he is still alive!” 11 Then he went back upstairs, broke bread, and ate. After talking with them for a long time, even until sunrise, Paul left. 12 They took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

From Troas to Miletus

13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed off to Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had told us to do this, because he was going there by land. 14 When he met us in Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. 15 We sailed from there and arrived off Chios the next day. A day later we came to Samos, and the following day we reached Miletus. 16 Paul had decided to sail on by Ephesus, so as not to lose any time in the province of Asia. He was in a hurry to arrive in Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost, if at all possible.

Paul's Farewell Speech to the Elders of Ephesus

17 From Miletus Paul sent a message to Ephesus, asking the elders of the church to meet him. 18 When they arrived, he said to them, “You know how I spent the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia. 19 With all humility and many tears I did my work as the Lord's servant during the hard times that came to me because of the plots of some Jews. 20 You know that I did not hold back anything that would be of help to you as I preached and taught in public and in your homes. 21 To Jews and Gentiles alike I gave solemn warning that they should turn from their sins to God and believe in our Lord Jesus. 22 And now, in obedience to the Holy Spirit I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit has warned me that prison and troubles wait for me. 24 But I reckon my own life to be worth nothing to me; I only want to complete my mission and finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do, which is to declare the Good News about the grace of God.

25 “I have gone about among all of you, preaching the Kingdom of God. And now I know that none of you will ever see me again. 26 So I solemnly declare to you this very day: if any of you should be lost, I am not responsible. 27 For I have not held back from announcing to you the whole purpose of God. 28 So keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock which the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he made his own through the blood of his Son. 29 I know that after I leave, fierce wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. 30 The time will come when some men from your own group will tell lies to lead the believers away after them. 31 Watch, then, and remember that with many tears, day and night, I taught every one of you for three years.

7 Bible Verses About the Power of Giving

32 “And now I commend you to the care of God and to the message of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you the blessings God has for all his people. 33 I have not wanted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that I have worked with these hands of mine to provide everything that my companions and I have needed. 35

I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way we must help the weak, remembering the words that the Lord Jesus himself said, ‘There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.’”

36 When Paul finished, he knelt down with them and prayed. 37 They were all crying as they hugged him and kissed him good-bye. 38 They were especially sad because he had said that they would never see him again. And so they went with him to the ship.

Buulus gi Makiduuniya a Yuunaan a Taruwaas

1 A dina ma dhuŋun dhina dhilagudhinu ganu erna, a Buulus urnie calmiz ŋwulmira, a ŋwutu duŋwela gi Makiduuniya. 2 A dina muŋwela ŋwen ibiŋwe ŋwulgathaje uwa dhuŋun dhai dhoinyadho, ŋwila gi Yuunaan. 3 Ŋwuje mine luweo thiril, a dina ma Yahuud uthi dhuŋuna dhina dhuthi ŋwujimiya ganu dhan ŋeda dina juŋw githo guŋwela gi Suuriiya, ŋwuthi dhuŋuna dha dhaurai gi dhai dha Makiduuniya. 4 Algwudhie gi Asiiya Suubaatarus gwai gwa Biiriiya; a gi liji la Tasaaluuniika, gweta gwan Aristarkhus a gwiter gwan Sakuundus; a Qaayuus gwina gwathije gi Darba, a Tiimuuthaawus; a gi liji la Asiiya Tikhiikus a Turuufiimus. 5 A liji ibila madhini jildhunijo gi Taruwaas. 6 A dina maji ma ŋwamun erna ŋwa dh’ⓐesh Fatir, anagathani Fiilibbuŋw, anela felluuka gwai a ma ŋwamun thudhina erna anela degen gi Taruwaas, analije mine ŋwamun kworoŋo‐thiril.

Aftiikhuus

7 A gi lamun lina liro kwerkwereny la asbuuⓐ, a calmiz auradhe liduŋw dilurta ⓐesh ganu, al Buulus abiŋaijo dhuŋuna dha Kalo, dina juŋw githo duŋwela bigunu; ŋwuje dabiŋi gwortal di a kalo ubie ganu gile thirir. 8 A ŋwamba ŋwijo ŋwoinyadho gi dunu agwilaŋ gwina gwauradhina liduŋw. 9 A kamal geta jalo gi shubbaak gina gan Aftiikhuus, githi ŋwar gwuleny dina jo Buulus dabiŋi gwortal; a ŋwar dhami ŋwida gi dunu alaŋ gwina gwathijadha agwilaŋ gwina gwiro nimra thiril ŋwobani kwiyaŋ, alapai gwaio. 10 A Buulus uladha galo, ŋwunida alaŋ, ŋwumutha ganu ŋwarnu, Athaji dugor mirii no; gwoma gwimidho. 11 Ŋwubalo manaŋ, ŋwurta ⓐesh ganu, ŋweny, ŋwabiŋi gwortal di a kalo ure, ŋwubaji ŋwela. 12 Alodha kamilai gimidho, aliŋir dugore gwuleny.

Safariiya gi Miiliitus

13 Anabi madhina felluuka gwai anela Assuus, anari labudhe Buulus ŋalai mine anapai; ŋinena uthuŋw dhuŋuna ibidha minoŋ ŋwari gwela ŋwora ŋwai. 14 A dina manalbudhe gi Assuus, anodha anela gi Miitiiliini. 15 Anabaji anela felluuka gwai anobani bigunu anadhuni Khiyuusuŋw ganu; a bigunu gweda anobani gi Saamuus; anajalo gi Turuujiiliyiin; a bigunu gwiter anobani gi Miiliitus. 16 Ŋinena ar Buulus gwamadhina Afasusuŋw felluuka gwai dathi dhuŋun dheda jo dhina dhadhabrico duŋwuthi ŋwamun ŋwoinyadho gi Asiiya no; ŋinena bupuŋw duŋwela babraŋ, di ada gwimuthi ŋoma, ŋwobani gi Urushaliim gi Yom al Khamsiin.

Dhuŋun dhina dhabiŋaijo Buulus shiyuuk la Afasus dhina dhimirudhi

17 A gi Miiliitus ŋwukejiye gi Afasus, ŋwurnia shiyuuk la kaniisa. 18 A dina malila dugun, ŋwulaicinu, Nyaŋa liliŋidhi darnu dina udhiny kwerkwereny Asiiya, alŋa lathije akwai ŋwamun peth. 19 Athinyi upijo Kwelenya ŋiro rujini gwai gwitiny peth, a ŋwal ŋwai ŋwoinyadho, a idhejini gwina gwibujiny dhuŋun dhai dha Yahuud dhina dhuthi ŋwujimiya ganu. 20 Athathinyi dhunejo ŋida ŋeda ŋina ŋiŋir no, ŋajibaŋajo, a ŋajalimiye dhuŋuna gi je ganu ja liji, a gi dunu gweta gi dunu gwiter. 21 Nyiro shaahid gi liji lina liro Yahuud a lina liro Yuunaaniyiin ko dilurle dugore galo ŋidi ŋina ŋike alauradha di Kalo, a diluthi imaan gwina gwijo gi Kweleny gwega gwina gwan Yasuuⓐ al Masiiẖ. 22 A aŋadhul ŋinena nyi gwela gi Urushaliim gwigukinu Dhigirim dhai, athinyi liŋidhi darnu aŋ gwaji gwaje diginy mine no; 23 abi dogo Dhigirim dhina Dhiŋir dhiro shaahid gwiny gi limediina peth, ŋwarnu gukini a dhuŋun dhina dhibur dho dhidhunijiny. 24 Abi nyi gwati gwadhura darnu midhe gwiny gwuthi luro lina linaŋ diginy no, dinyi meaje ŋiro ŋiny iŋir gwai dhugore a ŋiro ŋina ŋapinyilo di Kweleny gwina gwan Yasuuⓐ, dinyabiŋaijo lijo Dhuŋuna dhina Dhiŋir dha niⓐma gwa Kalo. 25 Nyi gwiliŋidhi darnu nyaŋa peth lina lathinyil abiŋaijo gidhila gai ga Kalo lati laŋa je jiny manaŋ no. 26 A gi dhuŋun ibidha nyi gwa gwabiŋaijaje ŋinenaŋina darnu nyi gwijuro gi ŋin ŋa liji peth. 27 Ŋinena athathinyi dhunudhi dajabiŋaijo dhuŋun dhai peth dhina dhibupo Kalo no. 28 Ethadhinul bai galo gi lidom lalo a gi liji peth la lidoŋa lina limajina Dhigirim dhina Dhiŋir geta ganu danyaro asaagfa, nyaie kaniisa ga Kalo gina gimuŋw elaŋ ŋin ŋai ŋuŋun. 29 Nyi gwiliŋidhi dhuŋuna ibidha darnu maji minyela lira laji lajinuni ganu lina lathirinyiye, lati luthi inaŋw gi lidoŋa alaŋ no. 30 A liji laji ladire dagalo ganu alabiŋi dhuŋuna dhina dhurlo ganu dhina dhati dhiro titiganu no, alodha calmiz dilligwuje. 31 A minoŋ jil galo je jai, nyaŋidhani darnu nyi gwati gwidhunudhi jidhileo thiril ninaŋin a gigilo daji ola gweta gweta ŋwal ŋwai no. 32 A ŋinena nyi gwajabricijo Kaloŋa, limega lai, a gi dhuŋun dha niⓐma gwuŋun, gwina gwuthi ŋoma dajimuthineye galo, a dajidhedha ŋelenya liji ŋalai peth lina liŋir didirel. 33 Ŋidi ŋa kwiji gweda ŋati ŋathinyi amra ŋina ŋiro faḏḏa i dahab i ciraŋ no. 34 Nyaŋa liliŋidhi darnu ŋidi ŋina ŋathinyil bupe a ŋidi ŋina ŋathil ŋediŋa lina lathanalje bupe ŋapinyilo doi dai diny. 35 Nyi gwimajaŋajo darnu gi dhuŋun peth darnu minoŋ gwiŋir danya apai ŋiro gwuleny danyagathaje lijo lina limulo nono uwa, a nyaŋidhani dhuŋuna dha Kweleny gwina gwan Yasuuⓐ dina aruŋwnu, Didhedha gwiŋiranu gwoinyadhanu gi dapai. 36 A dina muŋwari minoŋ, ŋwujalo ŋwurko ŋwai ŋediŋa lai peth, allabiŋaijo Kaloŋa. 37 Alare peth gwuleny, almutha Buulusuŋw gwidom gwuŋun, almira, 38 alkadugore a gwuleny gi dhuŋun dhina dharuŋwdhai nu, nyaŋa lati laŋa je jiny manaŋ no. Albigeta gi dhai kalo gina gijina felluuka.