Spend time in prayer and silence with God, asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
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 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. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
– 2 Corinthians 8:1-7
Devotion
Paul now turns to the subject of the collection for the saints in Jerusalem who were undergoing severe persecution because of the cause of Christ. He cites the example of the Macedonian churches. Even though they were very poor, they gave sacrificially to aid the saints in Jerusalem. Paul is provoking the Corinthians to follow through on their pledge to give to this offering by holding up the Macedonian churches as an example of true sacrificial giving. Then he compliments the Corinthians for exceling in faith, speech, knowledge and in their earnest love for the Apostles. Then he challenges the Corinthians to excel in this “grace of giving.” Jesus modeled this grace of giving at the cross. He gave everything so that you and I might be reconciled to God. Now as followers of Jesus our lives should be marked by this grace of giving.
The Big Question
Do you follow through on pledges that you have made to God? Do you give generously of the gifts that God has given to you? Do you excel in this grace of giving? Does your life reflect the generosity and sacrifice of Jesus?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.