Day Thirteen. Principle: Worship
Scripture:
I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
And here is my advice 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. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 2 Corinthians 8:8-12
Thoughts:
This is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible. Jesus gave up His own riches so that we could become rich. Shouldn't we give up our riches to meet the needs of others and to enrich them spiritually?
Maybe you are not in a position to give very much, but God doesn't care about the size of your offering. He cares about at the size of your heart.
Again, here we see equal sacrifice, not equal gifts. We should give with the measure of grace that God has given us.
Do not allow yourself to be motivated out of guilt. If you do, it will count for nothing. Grace is God's motivation for giving. Sharing of our resources is simply a way of saying "thank you" to God for the grace we have been shown in Christ. Giving is intimately tied to worship. When we give in response to God's grace, we are lifting up an offering of thanksgiving to God.
Reflection:
Am I ever motivated to give out of guilt? Have I ever felt that my gifts to God's purposes were offerings of thanksgiving and worship? Is grace becoming a stronger dynamic in my giving?
Prayer:
Gracious God, thank You for the grace that You have given to me in Christ Jesus! In Christ, You have given all spiritual blessings to me. Teach me to give not out of the letter of the Law but out of the Spirit of grace. Guide me and lead me.
