Acts 20:33 Meaning and Explanation

Paul returns to his record one last time, on the point that has wrecked many a shepherd: money. Silver, gold, and fine garments were the common wealth of the day, and wandering teachers ordinarily lived well off their admirers. The elders knew Paul had wanted none of it.

Covetousness disqualifies a shepherd because the flock exists to be fed, not fleeced (v. 28). Paul's farewell echoes Samuel's — "whose ox have I taken?" (1 Sam 12:3) — clean hands held up at the end of long service. And contentment is quiet power: a heart that wants nothing from people is free to give everything to them, after the pattern of the Lord who, being rich, for our sakes became poor (2 Cor 8:9).