2 Corinthians 8

Put Your Love Into Action {2 Corinthians 8}

2:00 PM




Monday May 4, “Walking In Wisdom”

In the days of Paul, the Jewish believers in Jerusalem were hurting. Not only did a famine sweep the land, members of the church were disowned by their families, and taxes were levied against them by both Rome and the Jewish leaders. When the churches at Macedonia heard of their plight, even though they themselves were in deep poverty, they pleaded with Paul to let them help their brothers and sisters in Christ. And so they gave, “according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.” (vs. 3-5) 

Not wanting to be left out of the great joy found in the privilege of supporting fellow Christians, even though the Macedonia churches had little, they gave eagerly, generously, and without having to be asked. From hearts filled with love for Jesus, and thankfulness for His saving grace, they were honored to show that same love and grace to others. And Paul calls us to do the same. “Just as you abound in everything.....see that you abound in this gracious work also.” (vs. 7) Love isn’t only something we feel, love is also something we do. It isn’t enough just to have a desire to help others. Out of the abundant grace given to us through Jesus, we need to put that love into action, not only glorifying Him, but as proof of “the sincerity of your love” for the Lord. (vs. 8) 

There is no greater example of love in action than our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For, “though He was rich, yet for your sake, He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” (vs. 9) Jesus has everything. He sits at the right hand of the Father, surrounded forever by the glory of God. As Ruler and Creator of all things, He has multitudes worshiping Him and singing His praises. Yet willingly, out of His great love for us, He left behind the treasures, power, and majesty of heaven. “The Lord Jesus left the magnificence and splendor of His kingdom in heaven where He is abounding in every way. He chose the limitation, suffering, and lowliness of a human body so He could personally demonstrate His great love to us.”....Dr. Charles Stanley. 

Because of His sacrifice on the Cross, because He gave all He had, because He gave His life to save ours, we as Christians are now heirs to the riches of Jesus’ great kingdom. And one day very soon our Savior will return to take us to that kingdom where we will dwell and reign with Him forever! So especially now when the whole world is hurting, give God your first and your best by putting your love in action! 


2 Corinthians 8

The Joy of Giving {2 Corinthians 8}

12:30 AM

{2 Corinthians 8}

by Lisa Thayer

I have heard that approximately 15% of what Jesus talked about was related to money. 
One of our first good works that comes from the transformation from the grace of God is in how we give.  How we give is a joyful response to the grace of God.  The grace of God works in such a way that it produces joy in our lives, and we are so joyful in our giving that we cannot give enough.

“For it was by grace that you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Ephesians 2:8-10

Just look at verse 2 – they earnestly wanted to give.  Imagine if we were to go to church and say, ‘I cannot wait for the offering.’

These people knew what sacrificial giving truly meant.  They were poor themselves – but they wanted to help.  The point of giving is not so much the amount we give, but why and how we give.  God does not want us to give grudgingly or out of obligation.  He wants us to give out of our dedication to Christ, love for fellow believers and the joy of helping those in need.  And, it is simply the right thing to do.

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When we join other Christian believers to do God’s work, we increase Christian unity and help God’s Kingdom grow.  Do you want your faith to grow or do you believe once it reaches a certain level, you are done?  How about your level of knowledge – are you satisfied with where you are at, or would you like your knowledge to grow?  Many believers set a limit on giving - they give a specific percentage, and that’s it.  There’s even churches that recommend a set amount – do your church envelopes have a scale of giving on them?  But true discipleship includes growing in the mature use of ALL resources, so giving should expand as well as faith and knowledge.  God can give you the desire and enable you to increase your capacity to give.  Don’t miss this opportunity to grow in giving – just ask.

In verses 10-15, Paul challenges us to act on our plans to give.  Here he gives four principles of giving:
  1. Your willingness to give cheerfully is more important than the amount you give.
  2. You should strive to fulfill your financial commitments (your household expenses)
  3. If you give to others in need, they will, in turn help you when you are in need.
  4. You should give as a response to Christ, not for anything you can get out of it.  How you give reflects your devotion to Christ.

I don’t know about you, but I have found that when I want to give, God gives to me so that I can give to others. 


Lastly, as I spend time thinking about Jesus leaving His heavenly Kingdom, and coming to earth, being born in a stinky barn, and being on the run for a few years, never fully using His eternal power.  He became poor for us.  He set aside His glory and His rights to serve us.  To teach us what serving others looks like.  Yet, by doing so, He makes us ‘rich’ because we receive salvation and eternal life.  Giving IS a sacrifice.  I know my attitude has changed throughout the years.  I spent some time expecting to be served in this life.  But eventually my attitude changed and now I have opportunities to serve others.  Every time I leave a volunteer job, the joy and memories I have do not have a dollar value.  They simply bring me a huge dose of peaceful joy.  


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