Thursday Devo
Scripture:
Romans 15:26-29
26 For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. 27 They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially. 28 As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain. 29 And I am sure that when I come, Christ will richly bless our time together.
26 For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. 27 They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially. 28 As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain. 29 And I am sure that when I come, Christ will richly bless our time together.
Commentary:
15:26 Christians from the Roman provinces of Macedonia and Achaia had gladly contributed to the collection. These provinces are roughly equivalent to northern and southern Greece today. This collection would include gifts from such cities as Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth.
15:27 they were pleased. The gladness of the Gentiles in providing for the needs of Jewish Christians is fitting. They stand in debt to the Jews, for they enjoy the spiritual blessings of the Jewish people and hence should happily assist them financially. Paul assumes that financial aid for needy Christians is a normal part of the Christian life.
15:28 After the collection has been delivered in Jerusalem, Paul plans to travel to Rome and then on to Spain. Paul was imprisoned, however, after he arrived in Jerusalem. Paul’s plan to come to Rome was realized (Acts 22–28), but not in the way he intended, since he arrived in Rome as a prisoner.
15:27 they were pleased. The gladness of the Gentiles in providing for the needs of Jewish Christians is fitting. They stand in debt to the Jews, for they enjoy the spiritual blessings of the Jewish people and hence should happily assist them financially. Paul assumes that financial aid for needy Christians is a normal part of the Christian life.
15:28 After the collection has been delivered in Jerusalem, Paul plans to travel to Rome and then on to Spain. Paul was imprisoned, however, after he arrived in Jerusalem. Paul’s plan to come to Rome was realized (Acts 22–28), but not in the way he intended, since he arrived in Rome as a prisoner.
Questions:
- The big idea Sunday was that grace RECEIVERS become grace DISPENSERS. One of the most amazing things about God is that He dispenses SHOVEL-FULLS of grace, mercy, love and forgiveness. And man do we love this! We celebrate and receive the shovel-full, don't we? But when it comes to DISPENSING grace, mercy, love and forgiveness, we reach for the spoon.... oof! When it comes to YOUR giving, do you reach for the shovel or the spoon? How do we better connect the grace we have received to what we choose to dispense?
- Paul is telling us in his letter to the Corinthians that what we DISPENSE is a reflection of what we have RECEIVED. This is as true when it comes to our money as it is in any other area... maybe even more so. When it comes to our giving, GRACE turns "it's a PAIN" into "it's my PLEASURE." Do you need God to change your heart when it comes to your finances and giving? Is there anything out of line there?
Pray:
- That you would reach for the shovel and not the spoon.
- That giving would become a pleasure, not a pain.
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)
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