Devotion True Giving – Part 1 But just as you excel in everything -- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us -- see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:7 Paul tells the Corinthians ...see that you also excel in this grace of giving (2 Corinthians 8:7). Then he challenges them with the example of the givers in Macedonia: ...I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which God is working in the churches in Macedonia province. Fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colors: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of...generous gifts...They gave offerings of whatever they could - far more than they could afford! - pleading for the privilege of helping...This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives... (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). Notice, the Macedonian givers: 1) First gave themselves to the Lord, without reservation. 2) Understood that everything they possessed was through Gods grace alone. Paul said that the way he knew the Macedonians had given themselves to the Lord, was that they begged him for the offering plate. Wow! When was the last time you sat in church, anxiously waiting for the offering to be taken because you couldnt wait to give? This is not giving because the minister is begging, or the ministry will go under, or you feel guilty, or youre trying to broker a deal with God. No, this is giving out of the overflow of Gods goodness to you. This is true giving! Prayer Heavenly Father, help me be more like the believers in Macedonia! In Jesus’ Name, Amen Tim Hetzner, President of Lutheran Church Charities
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 11:12:35 +0000
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