Generous hearts

March 25, 2021 0 0

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2 Corinthians 8: 1-9 (NIV)

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Today’s passage comes from a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth. Paul travelled all over the ancient Mediterranean region starting new churches and encouraging existing churches. Now this letter is not the first letter Paul sent to the Corinthian Church, and it seems that his previous letter must have caused quite a stir. 

Paul was worried that he and the people at Corinth had fallen out.

It’s just revealed right before our passage that Paul has learned The Corinthians aren’t mad at him anymore.

The Corinthians had previously been eager to support Paul’s work and it seems as if Paul may have been unsure if they would continue to do so after he had spoken so bluntly in his former letter.  

Instead it turns out that the Corinthians are willing again to be generous in supporting Paul’s work. He is blown away by this and the generosity of some others for whom financial means were hard to come by.

In your travails, who has been generous to you? Have you ever been surprised to learn that someone you thought you offended still cares for you? Who has given even though it seemed they had nothing to give? How can you be generous today? Maybe even to someone who would be surprised by your generosity?

PRAYER:

Dear God, reveal to us opportunities to be generous today. We want to be people that give to others instead of hoarding resources for ourselves. Resolve the painful differences we are experiencing with friends, families, or neighbours.