Monday Devo
Scripture:
2 Corinthians 8:1-2
Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
Commentary:
8:1 the grace of God … given among the churches of Macedonia. A reference to the generosity of the churches in the region of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea (see Acts 16:9–17:15; 18:5; 19:21–22, 29; 20:1–4; 27:2). Here and throughout 2 Corinthians 8–9 Paul calls the collection an act of “grace” because contributing to the needs of others is made possible by God’s undeserved gifts in their lives (8:1, 4, 6–7, 19; 9:14–15; see also 8:9; 9:8).
Questions:
- For many of us today, talking about money can be taboo... especially in the church. We all come from different backgrounds and experiences. For some, talk of money can cause anxiety and shame to surface. For others it might be insufficiency, or even the opposite - sufficiency. Which of these rise up in you when it comes to talking about money and giving? What is it about money and giving that surfaces all of these emotions?
- The overflow of GRACE is GENEROSITY. Paul challenges the church in Corinth to rethink how they view money... to see it as a way to express to others the grace that God had given them. They had been slow to participate in Paul's collection effort. He told them about the churches in Macedonia that had discovered profound joy through their whole-hearted generosity. In the midst of their poverty, they discovered the riches of generosity as they gave to the poor in Jerusalem. Why do you think the Corinthian church was initially resistant to give? Why do you think Paul used the Macedonian churches as an example to the church in Corinth?
Pray:
- That you would not be hesitant to give your first and best.
- That the grace you have received from God would overflow into your giving.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
5. Why do I follow Jesus? I follow Jesus because Jesus rose from the dead proving that He is the way, the truth and the life.
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
No Comments