CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DAILY DEVOTIONAL ON YOUTUBE
2 Corinthians 8:1-7
In 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 the Apostle Paul calls the congregation of the church at Corinth to be generous givers as they prepare their gift to aid those in need. Paul uses the Macedonians as an example of a people that gave generously despite their less than desirable situation in the trials that they face. Paul acknowledges the growth of the saints of the church at Corinth and notes that they, “abound in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us – see that you abound in this grace also” (2 Corinthians 8:7, NKJV).
This is a call to be generous as Christians in our giving to the needs of others.
Many of our churches have canned food drives, clothing drives, backpacks for kids returning to school, winter coat drives, the list goes on as these items are then, much of the time, loaded into trucks and taken to the shelter and dropped off, or taken to the school to be given to the kids in need. This, one may see as advancements in society and the corporate world of technology as many items are donated to the needy through our churches each year. But I remember a time when the church was the shelter, the church was the place where people went to get canned food for their families, and clothing for their kids. When the Church began, everyone considered everything to belong to everyone as need was found. The Bible teaches us in Acts 4:32-35, “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; of all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.” The difference to me is that, and I hope your church is doing this today, relationships were created through the personal touch of the volunteers who donated their time to looking after the needs of the locals. There was a time when locals went to the church because they knew that they would find the help that they needed. I’m not sure that society views the church in the same way today. Let’s make sure that the secular world knows that we are God’s children, called to love our neighbors as ourselves. Let’s let society see Jesus…in us.
Dear LORD,
I pray today that You would touch the hearts of Your churches and compel us to be the generous givers that Paul called for in the church at Corinth. Please fill our hearts with generosity to look after the needs of others as we too are sure to be in need as well. Please let it be so LORD. In Jesus name I pray, amen.