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This devotion spoke of a pastor who disliked talking about giving to the church, since his previous employment included fundraiser. I think the perception of giving is really warped, even in today's day and age. In today's passage, this was the verse that hit me the most:
"Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own." [2 Corinthians 8:2-3]
He states that even in the most severe trials, they had overflowing joy and they gave as much as they could, entirely on their own. Pastor Francis Chan was not kidding when he said the rich are at a disadvantage. Pastor Ho-Ming talked about how people are living for trees. Money,degrees, and stuff that don't matter are from trees! Yet the rich live for these things. How disadvantaged are we?!
This passage tells us a lot about giving:
- Give yourself first to the Lord (8:5)
- Give, remembering the example of Lord Jesus (8:9)
- Give according to your means (8:11-12)
- Give enthusiastically because of God's love (9:2)
- Give generously, not grudgingly or because of outside pressure (9:5-7)
"...they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will...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 8:5b, 7]
The people at the Macedonian churches gave themselves first to the Lord, then the rest to God's will. Not only do we need to excel in faith, speech, love, but also giving! Now back to the Pastor. He ended up teaching this passage, and well, he obviously had to talk about giving! When he did, he took an offering plate, and stepped on it. Why?
We need to give our entire lives to God, not just our wallets. That means time. God's time is not our time. If there's a sister or brother in need, who are we to say, "I don't have time for you?" Who are we to turn away single mothers and homeless individuals? We all sin, and I have ignored these people, but let the Holy Spirit pour out of you and excel in love and giving. We must give our lives, not just our wallets.
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When we give ourselves completely to the Lord, all lesser giving becomes easier.
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