Saturday June 30th, 2018 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
"The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little." (verse 15)
In the church, as in the rest of our lives, we discover that the work gets done not through an even distribution, but through love and caring for each other.
When I became a manager, a seasoned colleague quickly advised me that not everyone can make the same number of widgets in a day. Some will make 20, he said, and others can make 40.
The problem is not in the distribution of gifts, but rather in their lack of cooperative application. When we share, everyone is looked after.
Christians can be confused by the popularly assumed scripture asserting that God helps those who help themselves. It is many folks’ favourite scripture, though it’s not found in our Bibles. We tend to like it because it relieves us of the heavy burden of grace. You know, the one Jesus was willing to carry. Jesus said that it becomes light when we live with grace. Then everyone’s needs are met, as the apostle writes here.
Lord, help me to do my part in your kingdom of love and grace. Keep my eyes from looking at the work of others so that I am free to notice how it all fits together in love. Amen. — EB
Contributed by By Lifting Up Others, We All Stand Tall
In the church, as in the rest of our lives, we discover that the work gets done not through an even distribution, but through love and caring for each other.
When I became a manager, a seasoned colleague quickly advised me that not everyone can make the same number of widgets in a day. Some will make 20, he said, and others can make 40.
The problem is not in the distribution of gifts, but rather in their lack of cooperative application. When we share, everyone is looked after.
Christians can be confused by the popularly assumed scripture asserting that God helps those who help themselves. It is many folks' favourite scripture, though it's not found in our Bibles. We tend to like it because it relieves us of the heavy burden of grace. You know, the one Jesus was willing to carry. Jesus said that it becomes light when we live with grace. Then everyone's needs are met, as the apostle writes here.
