Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
2 Corinthians 8:8-11
8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. 9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving.
8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. 9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving.
Commentary:
8:8–10 not as a command. Giving to the Lord’s work must be voluntary, not compelled. And when it is voluntary it brings much blessing (cf. 9:5–8). was rich … became poor. A reference to Christ’s preexistent status as the eternal Son of God in heaven (John 1:1–3; Gal. 4:4; Phil. 2:6) and the humility of his incarnation, including his death (Rom. 15:3; Phil. 2:7–8), so that the believer might become rich (salvation and all the benefits that flow from it). this work. What Christ has done for the Corinthians is to be reflected in what they do for others.
Questions:
- Then Paul gives the church some advice. He encourages them to finish what they started. This is the WHEN of giving: ALWAYS... even when the FEELINGS fade. A year before, the Corinthians were all in! They were the first to make a commitment and the first to give. But something happened in the following months. Their eagerness began to fade. Paul was telling them that their followthrough, or lack thereof, was a test of their faith and love for each other. This is a test of their character. We can all, at times, lack the discipline in our lives that is needed to help us grow and mature. Are you a good finisher? In what areas of your life do you lack the most discipline?
- Faithfulness is something that seems to be lacking in today's culture, even in churches. At the first sign of inconvenience or unmet expectations people just up and leave and try a different church. Then the cycle repeats itself over and over. But that's not what a family does! Paul says that the family of God sticks together and loves each other, even when the feelings fade. How faithful are you in life, in any area, to follow through on things you say you're going to do? How faithful are you?
Pray:
- That you would live and give in light of the Gospel.
- That God would help you develop discipline and character.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
6. Is the Bible God’s Word? Jesus proved He is God by rising from the dead and said the Old Testament was God’s Word and gave authority to the Apostles to write the words of the New Testament, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so that all the words of the Bible are God’s Word.
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
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