Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul told the people of the church in Corinth about the generous giving of the church in Macedonia. Paul was trying to encourage the people of Corinth to give generously of their
bounty to help those in need. In verse 14 Paul wrote, “At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality.”
Can you imagine a world in which no one ever gave help to other people?
Can you imagine a world in which everyone shared whatever they had and no one ever had to go without?
Jesus gave us everything that we have. He gave us our food, our clothes, our families, and our talents and skills. Jesus even gave us the salvation we need to have eternal life in heaven.
Probably the biggest reason that we give to help others is because Jesus gave to help us. Giving to others is one way that we can say, “Thank you,” to Jesus.
Giving is also a wonderful way to show others how genuine our Christian love is. When we give to help someone else, we are showing him or her God’s love. Jesus said that giving to others was the same as giving to him (Matthew 25). James said that seeing a need and doing nothing about it is useless (James 2:14-19).
I hope you will follow Paul’s advice and be generous like the people Macedonia.
“But just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” 2 Corinthians 8:7
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me all the blessings that I have, including eternal life through Jesus. Help me to be generous and to share those blessings with those in need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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