“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:32-35, NKJV

We often desire wealth and work hard to achieve it because we yearn to gain material riches and possessions. But, in this Scripture, we see an alternative purpose for our work—to support the weak. This includes those who are weak physically, emotionally, and spiritually—the colleagues who have a physical illness, the students struggling with their identities, the parents doubting God, or the principal who has outright rejected Him. As believers, God has called us to help them, regardless of their weaknesses.

Sadly, we often yield to the temptation to complain about the weakest students and adults in our schools. However, God is asking us to maintain a posture of compassion and care to help our students and others, even when their weaknesses are overwhelming. When we give the best of ourselves to the weakest people around us, we show gratitude to God for what He has given us materially, emotionally, and spiritually. As we continue partnering with God to give wholeheartedly to our students, colleagues, and supervisors, He will bless and build us up.

Lord, sometimes we struggle to find true value in our work. Help us to realize that our work is to help those who are weak. Open our eyes, so that we will see our students and the adults we work with like You see them. Move us from complaining to caring. We need Your wisdom and discernment to authentically help the weak. We thank you for renewing our strength as we do the work You have called us to do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Copyright Althea Gordon-Scott.

Althea’s passion is to validate, encourage, empower, and inspire people, especially young people, to find their identity, live out their purpose, and reach their full potential. She is a member, public school educator, ordained minister, wife, and mother.