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DAY 15
“And now brothers, we want
you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.
Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme
poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that
they gave as much as they were able and, and even beyond their ability.
Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the
privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And
they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord
and then to us in keeping with God’s will.”
(2
Corinthians 8:1-5)
Children
often take their cues from their parents. All of us have
learned from the examples of others. We have learned
good habits and bad habits from our parents and those who have influenced
our lives. One good habit we can learn from others is
the grace of giving. Often we don’t talk about our
giving to the Lord, but we need to speak about this as an encouragement for
one another.
As Paul
writes to the Christians in Corinth
he uses another Christian congregation’s giving as an encouragement for
these believers. Paul uses the Christians in
Macedonia as an example for
the believers in the congregation at
Corinth. What moved these people to give so
generously even though they had very little? These
people gave themselves first to the Lord. They knew what
the Lord had done for them. They rejoiced in the
forgiveness and eternal life they had through Jesus Christ.
They knew that all the material things they had were from the Lord.
They wanted to share them with others. They
thought first of the Lord and His work rather than of themselves.
Even Paul was amazed at what these people were willing to do.
We have had
and still have people at St. Mark’s who are not what you would consider
wealthy, yet they give richly and generously because of what the Lord has
done for them.
Questions to Consider
1)
What has God
done for me?
2)
How much can
I give above and beyond what I already give to the Lord?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You have given me everything
that I have. The most important treasure I have is the
forgiveness of sins and eternal life because of Jesus Christ.
As You have given me material blessings, help me to give generously
and freely for Your work. Amen. |
