"Blessing that Flow Freely to Everyone"2 Corinthians 8:6-7
So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
Thoughts for Today:Paul tells the Corinthians they excel in many gifts, but to not ignore the grace of giving. Paul's appeal is similar to Jesus' instructions to the disciples in Matthew 10:8: "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." However, none of these things would have been possible if Jesus had not already provided the empowerment to do so. (Matthew 10:1: "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.")
In the same way, whatever we've been given has been given to us freely by the Lord's grace. So no matter what it is: money, business acumen, athletic ability, musical aptitude, or any other talent -- everything we have is a gift from God. We just have to make certain we let the same gifts we've received flow freely through us to everyone else. The Lord is not stingy -- so let's make certain to reflect His extraordinary generosity in everything we do.
Questions to Ponder:I know there are some who are in need themselves right now and say, "How can I give to anyone, when I don't have enough for my own family?" The Bible tells us the reason we don't have is because we don't ask (James 4:2). When was the last time you prayed and asked, "Lord, will you please bless me so I can in turn be a blessing to others?"
So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
Thoughts for Today:Paul tells the Corinthians they excel in many gifts, but to not ignore the grace of giving. Paul's appeal is similar to Jesus' instructions to the disciples in Matthew 10:8: "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." However, none of these things would have been possible if Jesus had not already provided the empowerment to do so. (Matthew 10:1: "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.")
In the same way, whatever we've been given has been given to us freely by the Lord's grace. So no matter what it is: money, business acumen, athletic ability, musical aptitude, or any other talent -- everything we have is a gift from God. We just have to make certain we let the same gifts we've received flow freely through us to everyone else. The Lord is not stingy -- so let's make certain to reflect His extraordinary generosity in everything we do.
Questions to Ponder:I know there are some who are in need themselves right now and say, "How can I give to anyone, when I don't have enough for my own family?" The Bible tells us the reason we don't have is because we don't ask (James 4:2). When was the last time you prayed and asked, "Lord, will you please bless me so I can in turn be a blessing to others?"
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