2 Corinthians 8
![](https://storage2.snappages.site/QNW5HP/assets/images/7594379_1920x692_500.jpg)
This devotional is written by Dan Fox.
2 Corinthians 8
The collection for the Lord's people
And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord's people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: they gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 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.
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: 'The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.'
Titus sent to receive the collection
16 Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honour the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honour to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord's people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: they gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 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.
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: 'The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.'
Titus sent to receive the collection
16 Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honour the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honour to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
Reflection
I was really challenged by the Macedonians because in the middle of great trial and poverty, they had great joy which meant they still gave what they could and more - just because they were excited to be involved sharing the gospel.
I often get so caught up in my own "trials" that I forget there is a wider church, a wider world that needs the gospel, and yes I may not be able to fulfil all the needs out there, when was the last time I was excited to be involved in some small way. In the passage, it says they were basically begging to be a part of the work. I wondered why it seemed so easy for them, why they could do it with great joy, and then in verse 5 we read, "they gave themselves first to the Lord, and then with God's blessing to Paul's mission work" - That's it, that's the bit I was struggling with, had I properly given myself to the Lord first, before trying to get involved. As much as resources and time are an important part of enabling the wider church to operate, God isn't interested in our money, He's interested in our hearts.
It's out of first giving ourselves to the Lord that we can then give ourselves/time/resources to sharing the Gospel. Giving is good and it is often a response to what God is doing in our hearts, but it is so important to give ourselves to God first.
Dear God, thank you that by the grace of your Son Jesus, we can have the privilege of being involved in bringing your Kingdom on earth. I pray that we would first be able to give ourselves to you, so that we can get involved.
I often get so caught up in my own "trials" that I forget there is a wider church, a wider world that needs the gospel, and yes I may not be able to fulfil all the needs out there, when was the last time I was excited to be involved in some small way. In the passage, it says they were basically begging to be a part of the work. I wondered why it seemed so easy for them, why they could do it with great joy, and then in verse 5 we read, "they gave themselves first to the Lord, and then with God's blessing to Paul's mission work" - That's it, that's the bit I was struggling with, had I properly given myself to the Lord first, before trying to get involved. As much as resources and time are an important part of enabling the wider church to operate, God isn't interested in our money, He's interested in our hearts.
It's out of first giving ourselves to the Lord that we can then give ourselves/time/resources to sharing the Gospel. Giving is good and it is often a response to what God is doing in our hearts, but it is so important to give ourselves to God first.
Dear God, thank you that by the grace of your Son Jesus, we can have the privilege of being involved in bringing your Kingdom on earth. I pray that we would first be able to give ourselves to you, so that we can get involved.
Posted in New Testament in a year 2024
Recent
Archive
2024
January
February
March
April
No Comments