Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.—Acts 20:28-38
I just love Paul’s heart here toward “his” flock. His concern was for their souls and his affection for the people God had placed in his care is obvious as we read this passage. In verse 32 he commends them to God and the word of His grace because HE IS ABLE to build them up and give them an inheritance among all the justified of God. Such a good thing for me to remember when I am anxious about my own loved ones...both believers and unbelievers. I can pray for them and commend them to God’s care who loves them perfectly.
Paul rightly reminds them in verse 28 that the Church belonged to God and was purchased with His blood. He desired his overseers to have God’s concerns and not their own for the church, recommending his own selfless example in this; but also tops that with the example of Jesus who said that it is “more blessed to give then to receive.” Those words of Jesus are what hit my heart this morning. Truly, my Jesus surrendered all and gave His all. How much more do we become like Christ then, when we too surrender to the Spirit of God and follow His self-sacrificing ways with sincere hearts. Oh to be a cheerful giver! To trust God to care for my physical, emotional and spiritual needs and give freely of what I have been freely given without hope of getting in return.
In verses 36-38 Paul does what each of us should do when we part company with other believers...pray together. I am thankful for my husband, whose leadership has made this the standard in our house. How comforting it is to be reminded that no matter where we go, God goes with us and that while we are gone His people are praying for us. We are one in Christ and in that, we are NEVER separated.
