Giving Moves Us To Thanksgiving

Daily Scripture Readings

Monday          II Corinthians 8:6-11

Tuesday         Matthew 25:14-30

Wednesday    I Corinthians 6:19-20

Thursday        Malachi 3:6-12

Friday             Luke 21:1-4

Saturday         Psalm 105:1-5

Opening Prayer

Lord, let me be the best steward of all you have entrusted to me.  

In Jesus’ name,  AMEN

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

There are many reasons to give.    It is a joy and privilege to participate in God’s work by giving generously of my resources (2 Corinthians 8:1-4). Paul tells the Corinthians that the Macedonian churches gave generously during a time of affliction. They gave beyond their ability and out of their joy begged “for the privilege to share in the ministry to the saints.” We will spend our money on something, and there is no shortage of wants and needs begging for our attention. Giving to the Lord and His work, however, is such a privilege and joy because we have the opportunity to participate in God’s work in the world and invest in something that has eternal dividends.

Giving generously can be evidence that I have given myself first to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:5). It is possible to be a generous giver to the church and be outside the Kingdom of God. They gave themselves first to the Lord, and then gave of their resources for God’s work.

Just as I should strive to excel in all areas of spiritual growth, I should also excel in giving generously (2 Corinthians 8:6-8). Sometimes we try to separate our money from other areas of life, like faith, speech, knowledge, and love (see verse 7). But Paul says that we should not only strive to grow and excel in these areas, but also to abound in the grace of giving. Sometimes our spending decisions and habits can tell more about our values and faith than just about anything else. It can be a test of our genuineness (see verse 8).

Jesus is the example of sacrificial and generous giving (2 Corinthians 8:9). “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though He was rich, for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich.”

Roger Severino