Read: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
We live in a culture that seems to celebrate generosity. Leaders, politicians and celebrities are expected to participate in giving to those who are less fortunate than they are. People who would be frustrated by those who knock on their door to share their faith are more than happy to give to charities who approach them the same way. Our shopping centers and main streets are littered with representatives of charitable institutions desiring our funds or our signature.
But are we really generous? So much of this perceived generosity is merely self-serving. Celebrities and leaders gain positive public relations and stand to boost their reputation by their generosity. The government allows tax deductions for those who give their money away as an incentive. We are eager to appear generous and concerned when someone knocks on our door but we look the other way as we walk past the homeless beggar on the street. In order to get donations charitable institutions offer prizes and competitions. Yet another way that our generosity can serve our own desires and goals.
This is not the kind of generosity we see from God’s people. Here in 2 Corinthians Paul is writing to the Corinthian church for them to prepare for his visit to pick up the financial contribution they have prepared for the poor and suffering believers in Judea. He exhorts them to excel in giving, to be abundantly generous in their giving to help others.
Paul gives the motivation for this kind of generosity in verse 9: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” The follower of Jesus is motivated towards radical and extravagant generosity because of the extreme generosity given to us by God Himself. Jesus, although rich and receiving all honour, praise and glory in heaven, chose to become a poor, homeless suffering man. Jesus chose to live as a man, subjected to all the temptations, frustrations and pain which we suffer, so that He could endure a horrific death to make us right with God. Jesus recognised our incredible spiritual poverty and acted with unfathomable generosity to bring us into abundant relationship with Him. How can we respond with anything but radical generosity to others?
This generosity is about more than just our possessions or our finances. Notice verse 14. The financial and material plenty that the Corinthians have will provide for the needs of the believers in Judea. But the plenty of the believers in Judea will also provide for the needs of the believers in Corinth. What plenty is Paul talking about? Paul is talking about the ministry of the gospel. The Judean believers have sent out ministers of the gospel throughout the world. They have supported the churches throughout the known world in their faith in Christ. The generosity goes both ways.
Are you generous out of your faith in Christ? Do you serve the church and other believers with radical, self-sacrificial generosity? Do you use all you have, your finances, your possessions, even your house, for the sake of the kingdom? Are you generous in the way that you use all of your skills and abilities for the sake of the kingdom? Are you generous with your time? Do you consider how you can use every day, every hour even every minute for the sake of God’s kingdom?
Christ has given everything generously for you. How will you respond?
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Thank God for His great generosity to you. Praise God for His generous grace given to you through Jesus Christ. Praise God that He generously gives all believers the Holy Spirit to strengthen and empower us to live for Him. Praise God that He has blessed us so abundantly. Pray that God would grow a passion to be generous in your heart and the hearts of others in the church.
¥ Pray for all those around the world who live in poverty and have not experienced the material blessing that we enjoy. Pray that God would strengthen them and encourage them. Pray that they would know Him as their greatest pleasure and treasure. Pray that God would challenge believers around the world to provide both spiritually and materially for these people with a generous heart.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
1. What area of work are you involved in? What sort of relationship exists or should exist between the workplace and the church? What are the dangers of a workplace and church relationship? How do we overcome them?
2. What areas of the community are you connected with? What relationship exists or should exist between the community and the church? What level of input should the church have in the community?
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