Follow Good Examples
2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Memory Verse: And this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 2 Corinthians 8:5
It is difficult for most American Christians to identify with New Testament Christianity from the perspective of their suffering and endurance. It is fruitful for our Bible study to always remember the price many early believers had to pay in order to follow Christ. Some had their land confiscated and others were just struggling to have their needs met and get along financially. Some were outcast from their families for leaving the old Jewish religion. When we examine our own wealth in comparison to the rest of the world, we will find that we have much to give.
The Corinthians had much to give. In our daily reading for today, Paul brings up the subject of the Macedonian churches and their faithfulness to give in support of those who were serving as missionaries. Evidently, these Macedonians didn’t have much and were giving out of their poverty. The Corinthians, on the other hand, had started to give but were not giving in accordance with their abundance. Paul challenges them to consider the family. He very much views the Christian brotherhood as a family. If one member of the family prospers he should then share with the family member who is struggling.
There is a great challenge for modern American Christians in this passage. Our standard of living is among the highest in the world and in the history of mankind. We have more time and finances for leisure than any society recorded in our history books. We are also diminishing our giving to the cause of the Gospel and to charity. These are symptoms of an individualistic selfish society. May God challenge us today in our giving as individuals and as a church. The Southern Baptist Convention will have 600 fewer missionaries world wide next year because our giving is not keeping up with opportunity. When you give an offering in our church, almost 10% goes directly to the SBC for distribution to support missionaries around the world. We also have people who give to the missions fund of our church which is distributed to the International Mission Board, the North American Mission Board, World Hunger Relief, and Gideons International. May God challenge you today to make sure you are giving as he has prospered you.
Reflection
What did God say to me from this Scripture reading, devotional, and/or prayer time?
What did I say to God?
