Morning Devotion December 4 2 Corinthians 5–8 Example for Giving “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.” (2 Corinthians 8:2) This verse tells about the incredible giving performance of the Macedonian believers. It says they were motivated by difficulty and delight to give extra liberally. Difficulty. “A great trial of affliction . . . their deep poverty.” There is a common saying today which says, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” That is a description of the giving performance of the Macedonians. They faced two great difficulties. These were pain and poverty. First, pain. The word “affliction” means to crush or compress. It is translated “anguish” in John 16:21 regarding the pain a woman experiences in childbirth. The Macedonians had been ravaged by war. Yet this difficulty did not stop their giving. It only encouraged it. Second, poverty. War had depleted their resources. They were in “deep poverty.” But this difficulty did not stop their giving either. The excellence performance of the Macedonians in spite of their difficulties reminds us that difficulties are often necessary to produce a good performance. Some flowers will not bloom well unless they experience stress. Some trees will not grow well unless they are subjected to the ravages of severe storms. Trial and difficulties are often necessary for people, too, to refine character and improve spiritual performance. Delight. “The abundance of their joy.” A second key to the great giving performance of the Macedonians was their great joy. Where did they get such great joy when their circumstances were so difficult? The answer is that their joy was the joy of the Lord. When they received Christ as their Savior, they experienced a joy which this world cannot equal. It is a joy that is not based on circumstances. It is a joy that can take a valley of defeat and make it a mountain of victory. It is a joy that will motivate the finest of service for the Lord. You need joy to perform well and that joy comes from Jesus. When you commit yourself to Christ as Savior and Lord, you will experience this unequaled joy.
Posted on: Wed, 04 Dec 2013 13:55:42 +0000