Saturday June 25th, 2016 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Now as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you-so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking. (verse 7)
Looking back over my life, I must admit that I see a real competitive streak in me. I tend to be merciless when playing cards. It feels like a failure of character for me not to cross the finish line first. I was always irked if someone got a better grade than me. Everything was a game which I felt like I needed to win.
In his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul acknowledges them for their excellence in faith, knowledge and eagerness; they were winning those games! But he invited them into another game: the game of generosity. What might it look like for them to play the game of being generous to the church in Jerusalem which was suffering? He pointed to the generosity of Jesus “that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” (verse 9)
Could it be that we are not really winning unless we are winning at the game of generosity?
God of generosity, open our eyes to see those in need and give us hearts eager to give. Amen. — PCH
Contributed by Winning the Game
Looking back over my life, I must admit that I see a real competitive streak in me. I tend to be merciless when playing cards. It feels like a failure of character for me not to cross the finish line first. I was always irked if someone got a better grade than me. Everything was a game which I felt like I needed to win.
In his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul acknowledges them for their excellence in faith, knowledge and eagerness; they were winning those games! But he invited them into another game: the game of generosity. What might it look like for them to play the game of being generous to the church in Jerusalem which was suffering? He pointed to the generosity of Jesus "that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich." (verse 9)
Could it be that we are not really winning unless we are winning at the game of generosity?
