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Daily eMail Devotional
Friday, March 05, 2010
II Corinthians 8:1-6 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
Some people are just such blessings in life. Whenever you see them you cannot just help but smile and say hi to them. Even when they are down or going through a trial they are always walking around with a smile of their face or always seeking out how they can be a blessing to someone. You can probably think of some people like that in our church right now. Maybe you thought of an individual or a certain family.
I believe this kind of describes the churches of Macedonia here in our passage. We read in verse 2, “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.” We do not know the exact specifics of their trials but we do know that in Macedonia they suffered persecution for Christianity and that they were as a whole very poor and despite this they chose to still give generously. What many of us do is reason with ourselves why we should not have to give. We perhaps look at our upcoming expenses or our current financial situation and make up reasons why we are the ones who need to receive instead of give. When this becomes our mindset we believe that we can out give God. These people enjoyed so much the joy of giving that we see in verse 4 that they begged Paul so that they could give more, “Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
In what ways do we seek out to be a blessing to others? In Acts 20:35 the Bible says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” We hear it all the time as “It is better to give than to receive” but do we really believe that? In what ways do we seek to be a blessing to others despite our circumstances? Though we may not feel like smiling inside how do we go out and seek to make others smile? Let us learn from the Macedonians in their example of giving and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
Love you all!!!
Pastor Mike
Don't Forget -
