What is the meaning of Acts 20:33-35?

33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:33-35 KJV)

William Burkitt’s Commentary

In the conclusion of Apostle Paul’s discourse to the elders of the church at Ephesus, he vindicates himself from the sordid sin of covetousness, affirming that he had coveted no man’s silver or gold; but by the labour of his hands had maintained himself and those who were with him. 

Where note, That it is not simply unlawful for a minister of the gospel to labour with his hands for his own and his family’s support when the poverty of the members of the church is such that they cannot maintain him without it.

Observe further, He directs these elders to labour as he did, if the case required it with them, as it did with him, that they might, by labouring as he, be in a capacity to support the weak and relieve the poor.

Yet note, He does not propose this his practice as a precept, or precedent, or rule to all ministers; for though St. Paul laboured with his hands in a case of necessity, and because false teachers were watching all advantages against him, yet he often declares a right and privilege which he had to be maintained by the church, without labouring with his hands for his own livelihood and subsistence; nay, asserts it to be the ordination and appointment of God himself, That they which preach the gospel, should live of the gospel.

Observe lastly, A remarkable saying of our blessed Saviour, not recorded by the evangelists, but undoubtedly spoken by him; namely, That it is more blessed to give than to receive. That is, the condition of the giver is more desirable than that of the receiver, and giving is more commendable than receiving.

1. The condition of the giver is more desirable than that of the receiver, because,

1. Giving is a sign of sufficiency and power. He that gives to another, is supposed to be well provided himself; he that gives, looks like a full being, and like a swelling river, whereas, receiving implies want and weakness, emptiness, and unsatisfied desires.

Because giving includes choice; for what a man parts with to another, he has the freedom to keep himself; but the receiver is not to be his own carver, but must depend upon the courtesy of his neighbours.

2. Because the condition of the giver implies an honourable trust committed to him by God Almighty. Givers are God’s almoners and stewards, the poor’s guardians and patrons. An honourable trust this is, by which the lives and livelihood of the poor are in a manner committed to us. by all which it appears, that the condition of the giver is more desirable than that of the receiver.

Note, 2. That giving is more commendable than receiving; it is clearer evidence of a noble and virtuous disposition of mind: for,

1. It is a sign of our victory over the world, and that our conversation is in heaven; that we have worthy apprehensions of God and honourable thoughts of his providence; and that we can trust him, and give him a part of his own whenever he calls for it.

2. Giving is better than receiving because there is a more lasting pleasure in giving than in receiving: an alms taken is soon spent and forgotten, and the pleasure of it is over in two or three moments, but the pleasure of giving bears us company all along in this world, and will keep us company in the next: there is no such satisfactory pleasure as in doing good, Let us then often remember, and always put in practice the words of our Lord Jesus which he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.