Devotion:
Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-11.
In this follow-up to our reading yesterday from this same letter, Paul continues to encourage God’s people to give generously. He is on a quest to collect an offering for the poor in Jerusalem from the people of the churches with which he is associated. As he writes to the people in Corinth, I sense that he expects them to be the top givers among all the other churches.
There are some key lessons here for the people of Christ anytime and anywhere. First, you are going to get out of any endeavor what you put into it (vs. 6). Second, the act of giving (in any way) by God’s people is to be done out of a desire to do so and not from a sense of obligation (vs. 7). Third, by blessing others, we are simply following the example of God, who continues to bless us in various ways (vs. 8-11). And finally, by blessing others, we give them the opportunity to show their thanksgiving to God (vs. 11).
When we are young in our spiritual life, we often see giving in a negative way. It is something we are supposed to do and feel guilty about if we don’t. But as we mature spiritually, we come to see giving as an opportunity to represent the generous God we serve. May you and I continue to become the “cheerful giver” that helps the world see what our God is like.
Personal Worship Option:
Here is the chorus for a song written by Carol Owens in 1972.
He said, “Freely, freely, you have received; freely, freely, give.
Go in my name and because you believe, others will know that I live.”
No comments:
Post a Comment