"Cheerful Givers" September 24 Readings: Isaiah 58-59, 2 Corinthians 8:16–9:15, Psalm 107:29–35, Proverbs 23:24–25
Reading the Bible in 2023
Each day this year we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. In reading four portions of God's word in a day, one of them is bound to speak to your life!
NOTE: If you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!
Bible Readings: Isaiah 58-59, 2 Corinthians 8:16–9:15, Psalm 107:29–35, Proverbs 23:24–25
Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version
Daily Devotional: Cheerful Givers
It was at one time a tradition in Baptist churches that annually the pastor would preach a stewardship sermon in which he begged, pleaded, and cajoled the membership to tithe. It was called "Stewardship Sunday." When you read 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 you see a completely different attitude about giving than was often on display on Stewardship Sunday. There were no rules, no emotional manipulation, no guilt trips, just a passion to invest in the work of God's kingdom.
In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, Paul holds up the giving patterns of the Macedonian church (Philippi was chief among them). Out of overwhelming poverty, the Spirit produced in them a rich generosity. They gave as much as they were able and even beyond their ability.
Why? Did someone put the pressure on them to give? No. They had a deep and sincere love for Jesus Christ and gladly gave their money and possessions to help others in Jesus' name and to further the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They gave themselves completely and unreservedly to Jesus Christ and their earthly possessions naturally followed.
Christians today don't have a giving problem, they have a heart problem. When people don't give it is not a money management issue, but an issue of spiritual priorities. When we love our own lives and our comforts more than we love Jesus, we will be stingy and resist sacrificial giving. It's all about the heart.
In 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Paul gives the basics of New Testament giving. It's not about rules or coercion or guilt. It's about joy and about Jesus.
In verse 7, the basis of giving is described. We are to decide in our hearts what we want to give, voluntarily and joyfully. Giving is to be an act of passion, a joy, an enthusiastic investment in the gospel and the kingdom of God. Giving is so much more than moving a decimal point and begrudgingly writing a check. It is giving all we can and even more to make Jesus known in this world.
Finally, verse 8 reminds us that God can take care of us when we give, even if we give sacrificially, to his work and to people in need. He can provide all we need so that we can do all he has called us to do. As he said to the Philippian church, God will provide all our needs (those who give generously) according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, Paul holds up the giving patterns of the Macedonian church (Philippi was chief among them). Out of overwhelming poverty, the Spirit produced in them a rich generosity. They gave as much as they were able and even beyond their ability.
Why? Did someone put the pressure on them to give? No. They had a deep and sincere love for Jesus Christ and gladly gave their money and possessions to help others in Jesus' name and to further the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They gave themselves completely and unreservedly to Jesus Christ and their earthly possessions naturally followed.
Christians today don't have a giving problem, they have a heart problem. When people don't give it is not a money management issue, but an issue of spiritual priorities. When we love our own lives and our comforts more than we love Jesus, we will be stingy and resist sacrificial giving. It's all about the heart.
In 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Paul gives the basics of New Testament giving. It's not about rules or coercion or guilt. It's about joy and about Jesus.
The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is ableto make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.
In verse 7, the basis of giving is described. We are to decide in our hearts what we want to give, voluntarily and joyfully. Giving is to be an act of passion, a joy, an enthusiastic investment in the gospel and the kingdom of God. Giving is so much more than moving a decimal point and begrudgingly writing a check. It is giving all we can and even more to make Jesus known in this world.
Finally, verse 8 reminds us that God can take care of us when we give, even if we give sacrificially, to his work and to people in need. He can provide all we need so that we can do all he has called us to do. As he said to the Philippian church, God will provide all our needs (those who give generously) according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Father, fire my heart with a zeal for your kingdom that opens my wallet and focuses my life and my possessions on your kingdom work in this world.
Consider God's Word:
Did one of these passages speak strongly to you today? Which one?
Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages?
Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to?
Read through 2 Corinthians 8 and identify some of the things Paul says about the giving habits of the Macedonians.
Do you give cheerfully and generously, or are you stingy and reluctant?
How does your giving match up to the giving of Macedonians?
Do you give cheerfully and generously, or are you stingy and reluctant?
How does your giving match up to the giving of Macedonians?
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