Daily Devotion, December 22, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read 2 Corinthians 8:10-12.

Can you recall embarking on a journey as a child and asking the familiar question, “Are we there yet?” Can you imagine stopping one hundred miles short and never arriving at your destination? This metaphor helps me to better understand Paul’s urgency in writing to the church in Corinth.

In Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Paul is describing with a sense of urgency, the work that God has given Christians to do in the world---the work of bringing God and people together through Christ. So here in 2 Corinthians 8:10-12, Paul is in essence saying that, we are not there yet in this work God has given to us through Christ. Remain faithful and see this work to completion.

Sometimes after we start a new work, time passes, and some of the energy and passion diminish and fade. Paul is encouraging the Christians in Corinth and encouraging us today to complete the work with the same level of energy. To not complete the work is similar to ending a journey a hundred miles short of the destination.

In verse 8, Paul wants the Corinthian Christians “to test the sincerity of their love by comparing it with the earnestness of others (the Macedonian Christians).” He is asking them to assess their motives. Second, in verse 9, he is acknowledging that they are going through more difficult times, but to realize that Christ endured difficulty too and “through his poverty they became rich.” 

Then in verses 10-12, Paul acknowledges that the resources of the Corinthian Christians are less than the year before, but he challenges and encourages them to continue being faithful and giving what they are able to give so that the work can be finished. In other words, it’s not about what we have or don’t have, it’s about our willingness to give and trusting God to work through us to help others.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, you have called us to join you in reconciling people to you through Christ. Sometimes our energy and passion diminish and fade. As we celebrate your greatest gift to us in Christ, your Son, refresh within us, by your Holy Spirit, new energy and passion to complete the work of love you have called us to do. Amen.