Verse of the Day 9/14

Through the Bible - Proverbs 29-30, 2 Corinthians 9

 

Good morning,

If I were to ask you which state had the highest per capita (average per person) percentage of charitable giving what would be your first response?  Would it be a state with a lot of big business, big financial districts, large manufacturing centers?  Studies have shown that the state with the highest giving as a percentage of income was Mississippi which also had the lowest average income.  The lowest was Massachusetts which was near the top on the average income list.

 

Why the disparity?  Money and riches have a tendency to take hold of us.

 

The Bible is full of examples who gave out of their poverty from the widow giving her last two copper coins to the widow in the Old Testament that was willing to share of the last of her oil and flour to make bread for Elijah.  (1 Kings 17).

 

Last week, in looking at 2 Corinthians 1, we considered the "God of all comfort" who comforts us so that we may be able to comfort those who are in trouble.  There is a correlation betweeen this and chapters 8 and 9 where we will go for our verses for today and tomorrow.

 

In 2 Corinthians 8 Paul challenges the church in Corinth, a wealthy city, to be more like the people in the church in Macedonia a poor  a poor church that gave bountifully.

2 Cor 8:2 Out of the most 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,   NIV

Or from the NLT

2 Cor 8:2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

 

3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.  

 

John MacArthur writes, "Paul highlighted 3 elements of the Macedonian's giving which summed up the concept of free will giving.  1) "according to their ability" - God is proportionate - God sets no fixed amount or percentage and expects His people to give based on what they have (Luke 6:38). 2) "beyond their ability" - Giving is sacrificial.  God's people are to give according to what they have, yet it must be in proportions that are sacrificial (Matt.6:25-34), 3) "freely willing" - literally one who chooses his own course of action.  Giving is voluntary - God's people are not to give out of compulsion, manipulation, or intimidation.  Freewill giving has always been God's plan."

 

Our giving is to be similar.  As with other acts of worship and service, they are to be done out of love, out of a heart for God, and not out of duty or requirement or in a way to be be "broadcast" in a way to be seen by others.

Take some time today to consider your giving, whether it be in money, time or service.

 

May we give the best to our Master. Here are a few lines from the hymn, "Give of Your Best to the Master":

 

Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
 http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

2 Cor 8:1-8

 

Excel in Giving

 

8 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you 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.   NKJV