"Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.  And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.  I have coveted no one's gold or silver or clothes.  You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.  In everything I showed you that by working in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Paul reminds us that Jesus told us that it is better to give than to receive.

This is Paul's justification for the way he has been treating the Ephesian church and her leaders.  He is giving, and that has been better than receiving for Paul.  But that is not his only motivation.

Paul is also teaching the church how to give.  The reward is secondary.

So Paul helps the church see the road to ministry.  That road is paved with giving.  Why?  This is how Jesus worked.  He gave - even His life - everything.  Paul is doing the same.

Ministers must give.

We mst learn to give of ourselves if we are going to minister.