Skip to main content

GIVE.

2 Corinthians 8:7
"Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also."

In the Second letter to the Corinthians, from the Apostle Paul, he has used churches of Macedonia as an example of generous giving. The Macedonians gave freely and generously, turning over their charity to the Apostles to redistribute it as needed. They were modle givers, great examples for the Corinthians to follow. An inspiration to us all.

Paul emphasizes the point; they had done what was far beyond his hopes. They gave, not only their money, but themselves, their time, their energy, to the church. They were able to do this because they allowed the will of God to work upon them. Paul has begun to praise the Corinthians; Titus delivered the First Letter to them and witnessed improvement in their situation. Titus has returned to Corinth with this Second Letter to bring the good work to its completion.

Today's verse Paul brings home the encouragement; "Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye ABOUND in this GRACE ALSO." Abound in the grace of GIVING! Yes! Do everything well; FAITH, believe the truth of gospel, and received Christ as your Savior. UTTERANCE, to speak to God in prayer and to men by prophecy and exhortation. KNOWLEDGE, learn the Gospel and all of Holy Scriptures, learn the traditions and hymns. But, none of this matters if the "Christian" has not learned to GIVE. Until we learn to GIVE of ourselves we will not be real followers of our Lord and Savior. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

to be taller

Matthew 6:27 "27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" Jesus has questions... Beginning our study this week with "Why Do You Worry?" Questions have always been a cornerstone of education, used to assess students’ knowledge, promote comprehension, and stimulate critical thinking. Well-crafted questions lead to new insights, generate discussion, and promote the comprehensive exploration of the subject. It makes sense that GOD would use questions VERY effectively. In yesterday's verses, Jesus asked "Are you not MUCH BETTER than birds?" His questions do not end there. In today's verse we read another one, "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" This is a sentence our culture needs to learn. No anxiety, no thinking, no wanting will alter our bodily height, or any other condition of our life that is fixed by God’s laws. We often wish things were different than they are, but our "wo...

in roads

Acts 2:7&8 "7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" The Holy Ghost is the only way this happens. They were very surprised to be hundreds and, some cases, thousands of miles from "home" and hearing their language spoken! It was astonishing! Appreciate that these devout Jewish people whose families had been carried away from Israel generations before. Taken in captivity by armies that invaded and conquered Israel. (A little like Joseph was taken captive to Egypt. All by God's plan to save the Israelites during a time of famine.) Over the years, these Jewish "captives" would adopt the language and some of the customs of their captors. However, they remained Jewish. By the time of the events recorded in the book of Acts, they made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover and the Feast of Weeks. They just happe...

God is forever strong!

Isaiah 40:29&30 "29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:" GOD wants you and me to look upward, and consider all the evidences of the power and wisdom of GOD! Compared to GOD we are merely grasshoppers. We can find ourselves jealous of GOD. His infinite power, and wisdom, and goodness! We might ask "Does GOD even notice my prayers, my tears, my sufferings?" When we are ungrateful and complaining we are ignorant. Grasshoppers like you and me cannot understand GOD. He rules the world and knows better about all our affairs than we do ourselves. We do no good by second guessing the ways of our infinitely wise God! AND! Check out today's verses; "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength." This transcendent GOD of ours helps us! God gives power and strength. We can trust in GOD and lo...