The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 22:20-21 (MSG)
20 I'm giving you thirty sterling principles— tested guidelines to live by.
21 Believe me—these are truths that work, and will keep you accountable to those who sent you.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 49:6-7 (NLT)
6 They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches.
7 Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God.
The Word of God for encouragement:
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (HCSB)
1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God granted to the churches of Macedonia:
2 During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity.
3 I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability,
4 they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints,
5 and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves especially to the Lord, then to us by God's will.
My observation:
The people in the church at Corinth had a desire to give an offering for the needy saints in Jerusalem, but they just never got around to it.
So, in this letter Paul encourages them to remember their commitment. He also shared with them some important principles that should inform their giving. We will focus on one of them, but first let's look at the reminder Paul gave them.
2 Corinthians 8:6 (HCSB)
6 So we urged Titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete this grace to you.
Now, here is the principle that Paul said should guide their giving. Notice that giving yourself comes before giving your money. If you give yourself to the Lord, then giving your money will not be a struggle. Paul gave them a wonderful example of the churches of Macedonia.
2 Corinthians 8:5 (AMP)
5 Nor [was this gift of theirs merely the contribution] that we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us [as His agents] by the will of God [entirely disregarding their personal interests, they gave as much as they possibly could, having put themselves at our disposal to be directed by the will of God]—
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that we would each be willing to surrender all of self to the Lord; to his will and to his way. Father, enable us, by thy almighty power, to give our all to you, and that includes our pocketbooks.
Father God, help us not to be liars when we sing the hymn, "Take My Life and Let It Be". Help us not to be among those who sing this verse but don't mean it.
"Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold."
Romans 12:1-2 (HCSB)
1 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
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3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
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