Thursday Devo
Scripture:
2 Corinthians 9:11-15
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!
Commentary:
9:11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way. God will provide for the Corinthians’ needs so that they can continue generously meeting others’ needs and giving resources to advance the gospel.
9:12–14 the ministry (Gk. diakonia) of this service (Gk. leitourgia). The collection is an integral part of the ministry of the gospel (cf. 3:7–9; 4:1; 5:18; 6:3) and an act of public worship (cf. also Luke 1:23; Rom. 15:27; Phil. 2:17, 30; Heb. 9:21), which causes others to offer thanksgivings to God as they see the work of God’s grace in the lives of the Corinthians.
9:15 The gift of the Corinthians reflects the inexpressible gift God has given to believers in Christ (cf. 8:9; Rom. 8:32).
9:12–14 the ministry (Gk. diakonia) of this service (Gk. leitourgia). The collection is an integral part of the ministry of the gospel (cf. 3:7–9; 4:1; 5:18; 6:3) and an act of public worship (cf. also Luke 1:23; Rom. 15:27; Phil. 2:17, 30; Heb. 9:21), which causes others to offer thanksgivings to God as they see the work of God’s grace in the lives of the Corinthians.
9:15 The gift of the Corinthians reflects the inexpressible gift God has given to believers in Christ (cf. 8:9; Rom. 8:32).
Questions:
- In verse 11, Paul says that when the gifts get to the church in Jerusalem, two good things will happen - the needs of others will be met and they will joyfully give thanks to God. So while the immediate aim of the collection is to relieve the need, the ultimate goal is to bring honor to God. Have you ever considered that your giving to ministry is bringing glory and honor to God?
- God will use you to bless others in a way that they thank God because of you. We've had hundreds of people commit their lives to Christ in the last 5 years, marriages restored, families saved and incarcerated people finding their hope in Jesus. What does it feel like to think about the fact that, if you give to The City, you've been a major part of all God has done? How often are you mentally connecting this kind of harvest with the seeds you are sowing?
Pray:
- That you would remember that giving brings Him glory.
- That you would continue to sow into the harvest.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
2. Are there sources outside the Bible that confirm the Biblical account of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? Many Roman and Jewish historians have confirmed that the apostles died as martyrs for preaching that they saw Jesus risen from the grave. No one dies for something they know to be a lie.
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)
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