Today's Scripture
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Psalms 129 -131; 2 Corinthians 9
cheerful Giver – 2 Corinthians 9:5-9
5 This is why I thought it was necessary to encourage the brothers to go to you ahead of time and arrange in advance the generous gift you have already promised. I want it to be a real gift from you. I don’t want you to feel like you are being forced to give anything. 6 What I mean is this: the one who sows a small number of seeds will also reap a small crop, and the one who sows a generous amount of seeds will also reap a generous crop.
7 Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver. 8 God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace. That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work. 9 As it is written, He scattered everywhere; he gave to the needy; his righteousness remains forever.[a]
What does this passage mean to me/us?
In the time, Paul was writing this letter to the Corinthians, the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem were under severe poverty due to the years of famine. Therefore, this was part of the letters, where Paul was sending out to the new churches to send relief signifying the unity they had in Christ.
While many churches were excited about the relief effort, the Corintiahsn were hesitant, and Paul saw this as more than money problem. He knew that giving with a cheerful heart was more than charity, but a journey toward transformation.
In today’s passage, Paul sounds more like my audio running trainer (And yes, such thing does exist, and yes I’ve been running). The trainer says, “I know its hard, but push through this!” Why does she say that? Because she knows that at the end line, I will experience more joy than the current difficulty or hesitance. In the same way, Paul is encouraging the people to become cheerful givers, because he knows that in the end, the joy of following and living for our Lord is unchangeable.
Prayer
Lord, help us to experience your best grace, so we can offer our best to you alone. In Christ name we pray, Amen.
Click to subscribe to our Daily Devotion.
You will receive a devotion in your inbox every morning.