Monday Devo
Scripture:
2 Corinthians 9:1-3
I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. 2 For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving. 3 But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. 4 We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! 5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.
I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. 2 For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving. 3 But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. 4 We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! 5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.
Commentary:
9:3 Prove empty (Gk. kenoō) belongs to the same stem as the adverb used in 6:1, which there refers to the danger of apparently receiving God’s grace in a less than genuine way. Here the danger is that the Corinthians may fail to give generously as Paul had boasted they would (9:2). The implication may be that their failure to give generously would be evidence that their faith was less than genuine, but they would also be missing out on the blessing that is in store for everyone who “sows bountifully” (v. 6).
9:5 be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. The word translated “[willing] gift” can also mean “blessing” (Gk. eulogia); the collection is to be a response to God’s grace in their lives (8:6–9), not something coerced by the fear of judgment.
9:5 be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. The word translated “[willing] gift” can also mean “blessing” (Gk. eulogia); the collection is to be a response to God’s grace in their lives (8:6–9), not something coerced by the fear of judgment.
Questions:
- In verses 1 and 2, Paul again references the "ministry of giving." Giving is a ministry that funds the spreading of the gospel and that meets the needs of people. Paul was bragging on this church's eagerness to give, basically saying that they were always down to help. Their readiness to give, their faith and their sacrifice was an example to everyone else. Do you see YOUR giving as a ministry? Could it be said of you that you are "always down" to give when a need arises?
- Paul wanted to make sure they had time to think and pray about what to give, as well as time to take up the collection before he arrived. He didn't want them scrambling last minute. I think there is a good principle here for us. If we are going to learn to be consisntently generous, we need to plan for it. That means budgeting each month around what God is asking us to give. Do you budget for your giving or just give if you think of it or feel led to? What might be the benefit of budgeting your giving?
Pray:
- That you would "always be down" to give.
- That you would learn to be a good steward of all God has given you.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
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