Unstoppable! 'Generosity and Wisdom' — Acts 11:29-30

Tuesday, July 4, 2023

[Because of the prophesied famine,] the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.

— Acts 11:29-30 NLT

Key Thought

Generosity is a "Spirit-natural" response for followers of Jesus. We love and give and share and forgive because God first loved and gave and shared and forgave us in Jesus. When Agabus came from Jerusalem and prophesied about a famine in the entire Roman world (Acts 11:27-28), the brothers and sisters in Antioch chose to send famine relief to their persecuted brothers and sisters in Jerusalem and Judea. However, and we should pay attention to this "however," notice that they didn't just send money; they also sent trusted and wise leaders to deliver their gifts to the elders in Jerusalem to ensure their donated funds would be used wisely. Compassion, with wisdom, must be an integral part of any fellowship involving the use of funds given by Jesus' disciples.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for loving me and for adopting me into your family. Open my heart to bless others in my family of grace as you have blessed me. Give me the wisdom to know whom to trust with my gifts of compassion, and give me a generous heart to graciously help my brothers and sisters in need during their challenging times. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
  • 1 John 3:16-18

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 11:29-30 NLT — [Because of the prophesied famine,] the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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