This message turns our understanding of blessing upside down by exploring Acts 20 and Paul's powerful declaration that 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.' We're challenged to move beyond the prosperity gospel's shallow promises and embrace the deeper truth that blessing isn't measured by what we accumulate, but by how fully we surrender ourselves to Christ. Through Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders, we witness a life poured out—beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, yet overflowing with joy because he understood that true blessing is found in God's presence, not just His provision. The message walks us through Paul's example of giving: his time and encouragement, his purpose and priority, his humble service, and ultimately his very life. We're reminded that we are most like Jesus when we give ourselves away, starting with the generous gift of grace to others. This Advent season, as we celebrate the ultimate gift of Christ leaving heaven to dwell among us, we're invited to examine whether we're living with clenched fists trying to control our circumstances, or with open hands ready to receive God's grace and extend it to a broken world. The blessed life isn't about perfect health or overflowing bank accounts—it's about living with an eternal perspective that sees every act of generosity as kingdom-building work that echoes into eternity.