# Day 343

# Paul’s Farewell

Acts 20:18–38

The leaders of the church in Ephesus came to Miletus. “You know how I live my life,” Paul began. “I humbly serve the Lord with tears. I suffer the plots against my life. If there’s any way to help, I do it. I brought God’s message to your city and your houses. I told everyone about turning to God and faith in Jesus.

“And now the Spirit is leading me to Jerusalem. Prison and hardship are waiting for me there. But I don’t prize my life for my own sake. I just want to finish my work. This is the important thing: to declare the good news of God’s grace.

“Now, I know that none of you will ever see my face again. I wasn’t afraid to tell you God’s whole purpose. So the rest is up to you. I hand you over to God and the message of his grace.

“Remember that I never asked for money. Instead, I worked with these two hands for myself and my friends. Remember the Lord’s words: ‘It’s more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” They knelt together in prayer. The men from Ephesus wept. They’d never see Paul again.

Questions: What was the most important thing to Paul? Paul reminded them of what the Lord had said. What was this?