Short, simple devotions can be a great pick-me-up to keep you going throughout your day. Simple devotions like the one below are written by everyday Christian writers. Get started and connect with God today!

It’s Better to Give

While we know there’s a lot in our lives to be grateful for, sometimes expressing gratitude begins to feel a bit too routine.

Jill reminds us of how unexpected moments of gratitude can bless others as well as ourselves!

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.”

Written by Jill Holewski

I gently placed the bouquets of flowers on the passenger seat next to me. One for a friend, one for myself. After the florist, I was in the mood for my guilty pleasure– chicken nuggets. When I arrived at the drive-through window the woman who greeted me immediately noticed the delicate, white flowers.

“Those are beautiful! What are they called?” she asked. 

“Hydrangeas.” I responded. 

Handing me my order she added, “How lovely.” 

Before I knew what I was doing, I reached for one of the bouquets and passed it through the window. “Here,” I said, “these must be meant for you.” 

“Oh!” she squealed with delight, “Thank you!” Holding the flowers up like a trophy, she yelled to her coworkers, “Look at these!” then ran off to show everyone around her. 

I smiled and called after her, “God bless you!” but I don’t think she heard me. 

Why It Matters

Expressing gratitude to God for things in my life usually looks like a checklist. Family, thank you. Job, thank you. Home, thank you. Yet, seeing a stranger have pure delight in a simple gift, showed me gratitude can go deeper. 

Jesus told us it’s more blessed to give than to receive. He knows the secret to fulfillment isn’t in what we get, but rather in what we give away. Within that idea is something our hearts can be grateful for. We have a heavenly Father who can use us to bless others and doesn’t forget us in the process. We can experience joy when God uses our lives to uplift those around us. 

What has been a time in your life the Lord used you to bless someone else? Take a moment to be grateful the Lord chose you for that special task

It’s important to connect with God each day. Luckily, these verse reflections are a great way to do that! If you’re looking for more good Bible verses to reflect on, check out this page of devotions!