jg-devotions-0517 rev 2€¦ · heavenly father, you are the source of every good and perfect gift....

January2018 1

2Corinthians8:1:Andnow,brothers,wewantyoutoknowaboutthegracethatGodhasgiventheMacedonianchurches.____________________________________________________________________________HaveyoueverheardastoryaboutafellowChristianwhopossessedahumbleandgenerousheart?Oftenthosepeoplegolargelyunnoticedbecausetheydon’twanttocallattentiontothemselves.TheyonlywanttogiveglorytoGod.Therewasawomanwholivedinanursinghomewhoonceownedasmallfamilyfarm.Afteryearsinthenursinghomesheeventuallyranoutofmoney.Acheckfor$500cametothechurchfromherlawyer,whotookcareofheraffairs.Intheletter,hestatedthatheknewhowimportantthechurch’sworkwastohisclient,sohemadethiscontributionforhereventhoughshedidn’tknowaboutit.DoyouseehowshegaveglorytoGodthroughhergifts?PaulwantedtheChristiansinCorinthtoknowabouttheMacedonianchurchesandtheirgenerosity.HetellstheirstorybecauseitgivesglorytoGod.How?GenerosityflowsfromaheartthatGodisfilledwithhisgrace.That’swhyGodalwaysgetstheglory!APPLY 1. Thinkofpeopleyouknowwhohavebeengoodexamplesofjoyfulgenerosity.What

motivatesthem?

2. ThenexttimeyouplanagiftthatsupportstheLord’swork,stopforamomentandaskifyourgiftgivesglorytoGod.

PRAY HeavenlyFather,youarethesourceofeverygoodandperfectgift.Ipraythatyouwouldgivemethegiftofjoyfulgenerosity.LetmyheartoverflowwiththeabundanceofyourgracesothatImightbegenerousoneveryoccasion.IaskthisinJesus’name.Amen. Created on 11/24/18 6:45 PM

Grace of Giving Devotions 2 Corinthians 8-9

Day 1

January2018 2

2Corinthians8:2:Inthemidstofaveryseveretrial,theiroverflowingjoyandtheirextremepovertywelledupinrichgenerosity.____________________________________________________________________________Thewordfor“generosity”hereisauniqueword.Itliterallymeanstohaveasingle-mindedheart.ItmeansthatyourGodandSavioriseverythingtoyou.Everythingelsecomesinsecond.ItmeansthatGodandhiskingdomalwayscomefirst.ThereisastoryintheBiblethatillustratesthisbeautifully.Mark12:41-44:Jesussatdownoppositetheplacewheretheofferingswereputandwatchedthecrowdputtingtheirmoneyintothetempletreasury.Manyrichpeoplethrewinlargeamounts.42Butapoorwidowcameandputintwoverysmallcoppercoins,worthonlyafewcents.43Callinghisdisciplestohim,Jesussaid,“TrulyItellyou,thispoorwidowhasputmoreintothetreasurythanalltheothers.44Theyallgaveoutoftheirwealth;butshe,outofherpoverty,putineverything—allshehadtoliveon.”Doesthatsoundlikeasadstory?It’snot!It’sthestoryofawomanwhowaslovedbyherSaviorandwholovedherSaviormorethananythingintheworld,soshegaveherlastpenniestoJesus.ShewasprobablysmilingwhenJesussawhergiveit.Hergenerositywasmeasurednotbyhowmuchshegave,butbywhatwasinherheart.That’sthewayitwaswiththeMacedonians,too.Isitthatwaywithyou?APPLY 1. DoesitgiveyougreatjoytogivetotheLord?

2. Haveyousharedthatjoywithyourchildrenonaregularbasis?JoyfulgenerosityisagiftofGod,butitisalsolearned!

PRAYLordJesus,youalwaysseewhatIgive.YouacceptwhatIgiveyou,notbecauseofthesizeofthegift,butforthesingle-mindednessofmyheart,whichyouhaveclaimedasyourownandsanctifiedbyyourSpirit.Acceptmygiftstoyourpraiseandglory.Iaskthisinyourname.Amen.


Day 2

January2018 3

2Corinthians8:3-4:ForItestifythattheygaveasmuchastheywereable,andevenbeyondtheirability.Entirelyontheirown,4theyurgentlypleadedwithusfortheprivilegeofsharinginthisservicetotheLord’speople.____________________________________________________________________________TheMacedoniansweremightyexamplesofGod’sgrace!TheMacedonianchurcheswouldhaveincludedPhilippi.ReadchapterfourofPhilippians,whereyouwillseePaulthanktheMacedoniansforsupportinghiminhismissionwork.HerePaulsaystheyalsourgentlypleadedwithPaulfortheprivilegeofgivingtothespecialofferingfortheneedysaintsinJerusalem.God’speoplearelikethat.Therewasawidowwholivedonameagersocialsecurityincome.Herhousehadn’tseenimprovementsforyears.Herfurnacewas40yearsold.Onedayshecalledherpastortoherhousebecausethechurchwashavingaspecialoffering.Shereachedintohercupboardandgavehimanenvelopewith50$20billsinside.“Isave20dollarseachweekforarainyday,butIwanttheLordtohavethis,”shesaid.YouhaveopportunitiestogiveregulargiftstotheLordforhiskingdom.Thebestthingistositdownwithyourspouseandplanthosegifts.Youmaywanttoincludeyourchildrentomodelthegiftofgivingforthem.PlanwhatgiftsfromyourincomewillhonorJesusforwhathehasdoneforyou.Sometimestherearespecialopportunitiesthatarise.Godwillprovideyouthemeansforthoseoccasionsaswell.Godsuppliesallourneedsfromhisabundance!APPLY 1. HowdoyouplanyourregulargiftstotheLord?Sitdowntodayanddetermineaplanfor

yourregulargifts.

2. Howmightyousaveupmoneyeachweeksothatyoumighthavesomethingtogiveonaspecialoccasion?

PRAY HeavenlyFather,youhaveprovidedforallmyneedsfromtherichgenerosityofyourheart.Likeafaithfulparent,youfindgreatjoyinprovidingforallmyneeds.TeachmethatIwillneverout-givemyGiver!IaskthisinJesus’name.Amen.


Day 3

January2018 4

2Corinthians8:5:Andtheyexceededourexpectations:TheygavethemselvesfirstofalltotheLord,andthenbythewillofGodalsotous.____________________________________________________________________________Manyyearsago,insomecongregations,memberswouldpayrentforthepewthattheysatineachSunday.Oldpicturesshowpewswithnumberssothatpeoplewouldn’tsitinsomeoneelse’spew.Notthatlongago,churchmemberswouldtalkaboutpayingtheir“dues”tothechurch.GivingtotheLordisn’taboutpayingmembershipduesorsupportinganinstitution.GivingtotheLordisaboutgivingyourselftotheLord.Thegiftyoubringrepresentsthetimeyouspentinearningit.It’snotjustmoney;it’sgivingyourveryselftotheLord.Afamousmissionary,RobertMoffat,wasjustaboywhentheofferingplatewaspassedinhischurch.Hehadnothingtogive,soheputtheplateonthefloorandstoodinit.“Ionlyhavemyselftogive,”hesaid.WhydoChristiansgivethemselvestotheLordfirst?BecauseourLordcamedownfromhisthronetoredeemustobehisown.Godinhismercydoesn’tenslaveus.Hewinsourheartsbyhisloveandallowsustogiveourselvestohiminjoyfulthanksgiving.Thenexttimetheplateispassed,giveyourselftoJesus!APPLY 1. Oneofourhymnssays,“Takemylifeandletitbe,consecrated,Lord,tothee.”Whatdoesit

meantoconsecrateyourlifetoJesus?

2. SomehavearguedthattheygivetheirtimetoJesussothattheydon’thavetogivetheirmoney.Somehavesaidtheygivetheirmoneysothattheydon’thavetogivetheirtime.IfJesusredeemedus,body,soul,heart,andmind,shouldn’titbeboth?

PRAY LordJesus,Iamyoursandyouaremine!MylifeisfullbecauseIknowyouasmySavior.ForgivemeformyselfishwaysinwhichIhavedeniedyoumybest,myall.Showmethattoliveforyouismygreatestjoyinlife.Amen.


Day 4

January2018 5

2Corinthians8:6-7:SoweurgedTitus,justashehadearliermadeabeginning,tobringalsotocompletionthisactofgraceonyourpart.7Butsinceyouexcelineverything—infaith,inspeech,inknowledge,incompleteearnestness,andinthelovewehavekindledinyou—seethatyoualsoexcelinthisgraceofgiving.____________________________________________________________________________“Thechurchisalwaystalkingaboutmoney!”Haveyoueverheardthatcomplaint?It’snottrue.Infact,weprobablydonottalkaboutmoneyoftenenough.That’sbecausewhatwereallyliketotalkaboutisJesus!Weshouldn’tbeashamedtotalkaboutmoneyinthechurch.Jesusoftendid.AboutoneinsevenstatementsJesusmadeisaboutmoneyormaterialpossessions.Jesusknewthatmoneyandmaterialpossessionsaresomethingthatoursinfulnaturelikestothinkaboutalot.Hedoesusatremendousfavorbyputtingourmoneyintherightcontext.Wedon’tworshipmoney.Weusemoney—forourgoodandforGod’sglory.OneofthereasonsPaulwrotethisletterwastoremindtheCorinthianstobringthisofferingforthesaintstocompletion.Theyneededalittleencouragement,soTituswassenttoencouragethemandPaulwrotetheletter.Hewantedthemto“excelinthisgraceofgiving.”Oursinfulnatureandournewmanneedthesewordsofencouragement!APPLY 1. Wherehaveyoulearnedaboutmoney—itsimportance,howtouseit,howtosaveit,etc.?

Theworldwillleadusastray.ConsidertakingacoursefromyourchurchthatcangiveyouGod’swisdomaboutmoney!

2. Haveyoumadeabudgettoplantheuseofyourmoney?Agoodbudgetwillhelpyoustayawayfromthosethingsthat“leak”yourmoney.

PRAYHeavenlyFather,allthatIhaveIhavereceivedfromyou.Youhavebeengraciousandgeneroustomeinsomanydifferentways.ForgivemewhenIlookatmoneyasmymoneyandnotyourmoney.GivemeajoyfulandgenerousheartthatImighthonoryouwithallthatIhave.Amen.


Day 5

January2018 6

2Corinthians8:8-9:Iamnotcommandingyou,butIwanttotestthesincerityofyourlovebycomparingitwiththeearnestnessofothers.9ForyouknowthegraceofourLordJesusChrist,thatthoughhewasrich,yetforyoursakehebecamepoor,sothatyouthroughhispovertymightbecomerich.____________________________________________________________________________It’samazing,isn’tit,thatGoddoesnottellusexactlyhowmuchweshouldgive?IntheOldTestament,hecommandedatithe,ortenpercent.IntheNewTestament,everyofferingwegiveisafreewilloffering.That’swhyPauldidn’ttelltheCorinthianshowmuchtheyweresupposedtogive.AmaninBibleinformationclassaskedthepastortotellhimhowmuchheshouldgive.TheyhadjustfinishedthechaptercoveringChristiangiving.Insteadthepastorwentthroughthelessonagain.Hesaid,“Pastor,youdon’tunderstand.I’manewChristian.You’retheexpert.Imakeabout$80,000ayear.TellmehowmuchIshouldgive!”Thepastortoldhim,“IfIdidthat,thenGodwouldgetyourmoney,buthewantssomethingmorethanthat.Hewantsyourheart!”Thetithe(tenpercent)isaguidethatsomestilluse.Givethatamountifyouwanttobutnotbecauseyouhaveto.Maybeyourheartwillleadyoutogivemore!WhatGodwantsmostisyourheart!APPLY 1. What’sthevalueofdecidingbeforehandinyourhearthowmuchyouwillgiveeachweek

insteadofwaitingforthemomentandthendeciding?

2. HaveyouplannedyourofferingstotheLord?Whenyoudo,askGodtogiveyouajoyfulandgenerousheart.Remember,Godwantsyourheart!

PRAYLordJesus,myheartwillalwaysbelongtoyou.Youwillforeverbemygreatestanddearesttreasure.HowcouldIlivewithoutknowingthedepthofyourmercy?HowcouldIdiewithoutknowingmysinshavebeenforgiven?Iwillalways,gladly,willingly,beinyourdebt!Amen.


Day 6

January2018 7

2Corinthians8:9:ForyouknowthegraceofourLordJesusChrist,thatthoughhewasrich,yetforyoursakehebecamepoor,sothatyouthroughhispovertymightbecomerich.____________________________________________________________________________HowmuchdidJesusgivetosaveusfromthedebtandpovertyofoursins?Hegaveitall.Helefthisthroneinheaventobeborninamanger,nocribforhisbed.Hegaveuphisroyalrobestowearthesimpleclothesofahumbleservant.Heavenandearthwerehis,andhechosetolivealifeinwhichhedidnotownahome.Hechosetoassumeourdebtofsinsothatwecouldownhisrighteousnessbyfaith.Jesusdidthissothatyoucouldbecomerichinawaythattheworldwillneverappreciate.YouareachildofGod.Youareco-heirswiththeKingofkings.Youarekingsandpriests,aholynation,apeoplebelongingtoGod.“WhomhaveIinheavenbutyou?AndearthhasnothingIdesirebesidesyou”(Psalm73:25).YourgiftstotheLordcomefromaheartthathasbeenoverwhelmedbytheawesomeloveofGodinChristJesus.That’swhatjoyfulgenerosityisallabout. APPLY 1. Memorize2Corinthians8:9above.ItisthekeyverseinthesetwochaptersoftheBible.

2. Isthereanythingyouwantsobadlythatitmakesyouunhappybecauseyoucan’taffordit?Whenthosethoughtscometomind,recitethispassagetoyourself.

PRAYPsalm73:21-26:Whenmyheartwasgrievedandmyspiritembittered,22Iwassenselessandignorant;Iwasabrutebeastbeforeyou.23YetIamalwayswithyou;youholdmebymyrighthand.24Youguidemewithyourcounsel,andafterwardyouwilltakemeintoglory.25WhomhaveIinheavenbutyou?AndearthhasnothingIdesirebesidesyou.26Myfleshandmyheartmayfail,butGodisthestrengthofmyheartandmyportionforever.Amen.


Day 7

January2018 8

2Corinthians8:10-11:Andhereismyjudgmentaboutwhatisbestforyouinthismatter.Lastyearyouwerethefirstnotonlytogivebutalsotohavethedesiretodoso.11Nowfinishthework,sothatyoureagerwillingnesstodoitmaybematchedbyyourcompletionofit,accordingtoyourmeans.____________________________________________________________________________ItappearsthattheCorinthianshadgoodintentions,buttheylackedthedisciplinetocarryoutthosegoodintentions.Theystartedwell,butwereindangeroffinishingpoorly.Doesthatsoundfamiliar?WemakeNewYear’sresolutionsandthen,aroundtheendofJanuary,somethingderailsourgoodintentionsandwegobacktolifeasnormal.ThesamethingscanhappentoourgoodintentionswithgivingourfirstfruitstotheLord.Westartwell.Weformaplaninourmind.Then,whenwehavesomeleanmonths,wegetderailedandnevergetbacktoourplan.WhenJesusdiedonthecross,hesaid,“Itisfinished.”HefinishedallyourgoodintentionsandmadeyouperfectbeforeGod.Rememberthatwhenyourplansgetderailedandusethegospelmotivationtoputyoubackontrackagain.Didyoumemorizethepassagefromyesterday?Sayittoyourselfrightnow. APPLY 1. Expertssayittakes90daystoformanewhabit.Makinggivingahabitisagoodthing.Try

givingtenpercentofyourincomeforthenexttenweeks,andseeifGodwillblessyourefforts.(Remember,it’snotacommand!Youcanchooseanyportionofyourincomeyouchoose.)

2. Ifyouaren’tinchurchonagivenSunday,doyoustillmakeanofferingthatweek?RememberthatyourgiftsarefromtheabundanceGodblessesyouwitheveryweek.

PRAY1. Wegivetheebutthineown,Whate’erthegiftmaybe;Allthatwehaveisthinealone,A

trust,OLord,fromthee.2. MaywethybountiesthusAsstewardstruereceiveAndgladly,asthoublessestus,Tothee

ourfirstfruitsgive.Amen.(ChristianWorship,hymn485)


Day 8

January2018 9

2Corinthians8:11-12:Nowfinishthework,sothatyoureagerwillingnesstodoitmaybematchedbyyourcompletionofit,accordingtoyourmeans.12Forifthewillingnessisthere,thegiftisacceptableaccordingtowhatonehas,notaccordingtowhatonedoesnothave.____________________________________________________________________________NoticethatPaulsays,“accordingtoyourmeans.”Sometimes,whenthechurchneedsalittlemoretofundtheministryofthecongregation,memberswillsuggestthat“ifeverymemberjustgivesahundreddollarsmore,we’llhaveenough.”Thatsoundsequitableandreasonable,doesn’tit?Butit’snotbiblical.Thephrase,“accordingtoyourmeans,”tellsusthatthosewhohavebeenblessedwithmuchshouldgivemore,andthosewhohavebeenblessedwithlessshouldnotbeashamedtogivewhattheycan.So,whileapersonwhomakes$20,000ayearmaystruggletogivetenpercent,apersonwhomakes$100,000ayearcouldeasilygivemorethantenpercent.ItisamazingthatGodwouldgiveusthefreedomtodecidehowmuchweshouldgivetohonorhim.Whatmattersisourheart,“ifthewillingnessisthere.”HeknowsthataheartgiftedbyhisSpirit,motivatedbytheloveofJesus,andblessedwiththeFather’sabundancewillalwayscomethrough.Countonit.Goddoes! APPLY 1. Weneverhaveemptyclosetsinourhomes.Ifweputinthreenewclosets,wewouldfinda

waytofillthem.Wecandothesamewiththespendingofourmoney.Wewillalwaysfindawaytospendeverythingweearn.Howcanastrictfamilybudgetandmonthlyaccountinghelpyoutoavoidthat?Ifyouaren’tgoodatthat,wherecanyoulearntodoit?

2. Gothroughyourlasttwomonthsofcreditcardstatements.Markthoseitemsyou

purchasedthatwerenotnecessary.Howdoesthiscomparewithyourofferings?PRAYHeavenlyFather,ifIcomparemywealthtopeoplearoundme,ImightthinkIhavelittle.WhenIcomparemywealthtomostthepeopleintheworld,Ihavesomuch.Helpmetobeagoodmanagerofyourgiftssothatthereisnotonlyplentyformeandformyfamily,butalsoplentyforprovidingfortheworkofyourkingdomandforhelpingmyneighborinneed.Givemeawilling,joyful,andgenerousheart!Amen.


Day 9

January2018 10

2Corinthians8:13-15:Ourdesireisnotthatothersmightberelievedwhileyouarehardpressed,butthattheremightbeequality.14Atthepresenttimeyourplentywillsupplywhattheyneed,sothatinturntheirplentywillsupplywhatyouneed.Thegoalisequality,15asitiswritten:“Theonewhogatheredmuchdidnothavetoomuch,andtheonewhogatheredlittledidnothavetoolittle.”____________________________________________________________________________Jesustoldaparableaboutarichmanwhohadanabundantcrop.Hedecidedwhathewoulddo.Hewouldteardownhisbarnsandbuildbiggeronessothathewouldhaveenoughformanyyearstocome.Thestorythensays,“ButGodsaidtohim,‘Youfool!Thisverynightyourlifewillbedemandedfromyou.Thenwhowillgetwhatyouhavepreparedforyourself?’“ThisishowitwillbewithwhoeverstoresupthingsforthemselvesbutisnotrichtowardGod”(Luke12:20-21).WhydidJesusgivethiswarningabouttherichman?ItwasbecauseGodsawhowhiswealthwasonlyawaytopleaseandservehimself.Therichmansawnoobligationtogiveofhisabundancetohelpthepoorandtheneedy.WhenGodgivesusabundance,wehavebothaburdenandanopportunity.Theburdenisthatourabundancemaycloudourjudgment.TheopportunityisthatwecanusethatabundancetoservetheLordandourneighbor,especiallythosewhoarepoor.Whatwillyoudowithyourabundance?Say2Corinthians8:9toyourself.APPLY 1. Somewouldarguethatwehavenoclasssysteminourculture,butwedo.Wetalkabout

thelower,middle,andupperclassesoften.Wetalkabouttheonepercentversusthe99percent.Allthattalkshowsusthatourculturethinksthatmoneycanmakeyouimportant.Doyoubelievethat?WhatmakesyouimportantintheeyesofGod?

2. Paultalksabout“yourplenty”intheseverses.Inourcultureitseemsthatnooneeverhas

enough.Wehaveanattitudeof“scarcity.”Whywouldthenationofabundancehaveanattitudeofscarcity?Wouldyouconsideryourselftobeabundantlyblessed?Whyorwhynot?

PRAYHeavenlyFather,whenIthinkaboutwhatIoughttogivetoyou,remindmethatIamgivingfromyourabundance.YouhaveprovidedallthatIneedandevenmoreformydailylife.Helpmetogivefromyourabundanceandnottofallintothetrapof“scarcity”thinking.IaskthisinJesus’name.Amen.


Day 10

January2018 11

2Corinthians8:16-18:ThanksbetoGod,whoputintotheheartofTitusthesameconcernIhaveforyou.17ForTitusnotonlywelcomedourappeal,butheiscomingtoyouwithmuchenthusiasmandonhisowninitiative.18Andwearesendingalongwithhimthebrotherwhoispraisedbyallthechurchesforhisservicetothegospel.____________________________________________________________________________Itseemslikesomeonesomewheremadearulethatweshouldnottalkaboutmoneyinthechurchoreveninthefamily.Thatrulecertainlyisn’tbiblical.PaulwasnotafraidtosendTitustotheCorinthianstotalkabouttheirgiving,andTituswasexcitedtogo.Itisespeciallyimportanttoteachchildrenabouthowtousetheirmoney.Ifyoudon’ttalktothemaboutspendingwiselyorsavingdiligently,theywillneverlearnhowtousetheirmoney.Ineffect,notteachingthemaboutmoneysetsthemupforfailure.ThesameistrueoflearninghowtogivetotheLord.Jesuswantsusto“disciple”ourchildrenandtoteachthemeverythinghehascommandedus.Thatincludesteachingthemhowtogive,whichPauldoesfortheCorinthiansinthesetwochapters.Onewaytodothisistohavea“piggybank”thathasthreecompartments:share,save,andspend.Youcanhelpthempracticedecidinghowtousetheirmoneyinagodlyway. APPLY 1. Howandfromwhomdidyoulearnhowtouseyourmoney?Thinkingback,whatdoyou

wishyouwouldhavebeentaughtalongtheway?Areyouevertoooldtolearn?2. Ifyouhavechildrenathome,makeaplantoteachthemabouttheirmoneyandespecially

aboutjoyfulgenerosity.PRAYHeavenlyFather,iflefttoourselvesandoursinfulnatures,wewouldsurelyletourmoneycontrolusandnotlearnhowtogive!ThankyouforgivingusyourWordandforpatientlyteachingusthesethings.Helpustoteachourchildrenthatalltheirmoneyisaloanfromyouthatcanbeusedtoyourglory.Amen.


Day 11

January2018 12

2Corinthians8:19-21:Whatismore,hewaschosenbythechurchestoaccompanyusaswecarrytheoffering,whichweadministerinordertohonortheLordhimselfandtoshowoureagernesstohelp.20Wewanttoavoidanycriticismofthewayweadministerthisliberalgift.21Forwearetakingpainstodowhatisright,notonlyintheeyesoftheLordbutalsointheeyesofman.____________________________________________________________________________PaulmadeitveryclearthattheywereadministeringthegiftsofthesaintsinCorinthcarefully.Itwasnotdifferentthanitisnow.Therewerepeoplewhoposedasreligiousteachersandtookcollectionsonlytolinetheirownpockets.PaulwantedtoassuretheCorinthiansthatwouldnothappen.Yourcongregationhasputinplacecertainsafeguardstomakesureofferingsareadministeredfaithfully.Countingcommitteescounttheofferingsandputtheminthebank.Anothercommitteeorperhapsyourchurchsecretaryrecordstheofferings.Thetreasurer’sbooksareaudited.Thechurchcounciloverseestheexpenditures,whicharedulyreportedtothecongregation.Bethankfulthatyoubelongtoafellowshipofbelieverswhereyoucanbenotonlyconfidentinhowyourofferingsareused,butalsoabletogiveofyourtalentsandabilitiesfortheworkoftheLord. APPLY 1. Considerhowyoucanbeinvolvedintheministryofyourcongregation.Lookcarefullyat

yourabilitiesandseewhatyoucando.Askyourpastorforadvice,ifnecessary.2. Keepyourcongregationinyourdailyprayers.Prayforyourcalledworkersandleaders.Pray

forthechildreninyourschoolandSundayschool.Prayforthesickandinjured.PRAYHolySpirit,thankyouforbringingmetofaithinJesusandforcallingmeintotheChristianfaithwiththegospel.Thankyouformybrothersandsistersinthefaithinmycongregationandbeyond.Thankyouforthehelptheyhavegivenmeinmytimeofneed.ThankyoufortheopportunitiesIhavehadtobeinvolvedinministry.Ipraythatyoukeepourchurchstrongasweproclaimthegospeltoourcommunity.Amen.


Day 12

January2018 13

2Corinthians8:22-24:Inaddition,wearesendingwiththemourbrotherwhohasoftenprovedtousinmanywaysthatheiszealous,andnowevenmoresobecauseofhisgreatconfidenceinyou.23AsforTitus,heismypartnerandco-workeramongyou;asforourbrothers,theyarerepresentativesofthechurchesandanhonortoChrist.24Thereforeshowthesementheproofofyourloveandthereasonforourprideinyou,sothatthechurchescanseeit.____________________________________________________________________________ItisevidenthereandinallhisepistlesthatPaulenjoyedthefellowshiporpartnershiphehadinthegospelwithTitusandotherfellowworkers,andwiththecongregationsheserved.ThatissomethingthatwecangivethankstoGodforaswell.WethankGodforfaithfulpastorsandteacherswhobringustheWordofGod,notonlyinourchurchbutinoursynodaswell.Whenourchildrenmoveandjoinanotherchurchinfellowshipwithus,wecanbesureourchildrenandgrandchildrenwillhearGod’sWordinitstruthandpurity.Wearethankful,too,thatwecancometogetheraschurchestosupportgospelmissionworkallovertheworld.Ashareofwhatyougivetoyourcongregationisalsogiventootherministries,especiallytooursynod. APPLY 1. Besidesprayingforyourcongregation,prayfortheotherministriesthataresupportedby

yourcongregation.Prayespeciallyforoursynod,ourministerialeducationschools,andourmissionaries.

2. Findawaytohonorthecalledworkersinyourcongregation.Evenaspecialnoteleftintheir

boxcanencouragethemintheirwork.PRAYLordJesus,youhavegivenourcongregationpastorsandteacherstobringustheWordofGod.Thankyouforthem.KeepthemstrongintheirfaithanddiligentinstudyingyourWordsothattheymayteachusinturn.Helpourcongregationtokeepitsfocusonnurturingthefaithfulandreachingouttothelost.Weaskthisinyourname.Amen.


Day 13

January2018 14

2Corinthians9:1-5:ThereisnoneedformetowritetoyouaboutthisservicetotheLord’speople.2ForIknowyoureagernesstohelp,andIhavebeenboastingaboutittotheMacedonians,tellingthemthatsincelastyearyouinAchaiawerereadytogive;andyourenthusiasmhasstirredmostofthemtoaction.3ButIamsendingthebrothersinorderthatourboastingaboutyouinthismattershouldnotprovehollow,butthatyoumaybeready,asIsaidyouwouldbe.4ForifanyMacedonianscomewithmeandfindyouunprepared,we—nottosayanythingaboutyou—wouldbeashamedofhavingbeensoconfident.5SoIthoughtitnecessarytourgethebrotherstovisityouinadvanceandfinishthearrangementsforthegenerousgiftyouhadpromised.Thenitwillbereadyasagenerousgift,notasonegrudginglygiven.___________________________________________________________________________PaulonceagainreviewswiththeCorinthianswhyheiswritingthisletter,andespeciallythesetwochapters.Hesumsitupnicelywiththelastsentence:“Thenitwillbereadyasagenerousgift,notasonegrudginglygiven.”Ifwehaven’tplannedorproperlypreparedforourofferings,wecouldeasilybecomeannoyedatsuchanopportunitytogivetotheLord.Wedon’thavethemoneyinhand.Wefeelguiltyifwecan’tgivewhatwewantedtogive.Wefeelpressureifwethinkwemustgivewhatwedon’thave.Planyourgivingcarefully.Makeitpartofyourfamilybudgetandsetasideanamounteachpaycheck.Ifaspecialopportunityarises,trustthatGodwillprovideallthatyouneed,andthatyoucangivefromhisabundance. APPLY 1. Whatisyourgivingplan?Aworksheetisavailableattheendofthisdocument.2. Whatisyourmotivationforgiving?Remember2Corinthians8:9.Withouttheproper

motivation,yourgiftswillbegrudginglygivenandnotfromajoyfulandgenerousheart.PRAYLordJesus,givemeaheartthatisfilledwithjoyfulgenerositysothatallmygiftswillhonoryoufromaheartthatknowsnofearorguilt.Allmywantsandneedshavebeensuppliedbyyou.Givemealsothediligencetoplanmygivingcarefullyandtocarryoutmyplanfaithfully.Amen.


Day 14

January2018 15

2Corinthians9:6:Rememberthis:Whoeversowssparinglywillalsoreapsparingly,andwhoeversowsgenerouslywillalsoreapgenerously.___________________________________________________________________________Paulremindsusofasimpletruththateveryfarmerknows.Ifyouskimponeitherthequantityorqualityofseedsyouputintothesoil,youwillendupwithasmallcrop.Theoppositeisalsotrue.Sowgenerouslyandyouwillreapgenerously.Whydoeshetellusthis?Heisnotgivingusmotivationtogivegenerously.Welearngenerosityatthefootofthecross(recite2Corinthians8:9toyourself).Heis,however,takingawaytheexcusethatoursinfulnaturewillcomeupwith.IfIgivegenerously,Imaynothaveenoughleftoverforme.Theargumentofoursinfulnatureisfalse.Itisalie.TheLordsaiditevenmoreexplicitlythroughMalachi3:10-11:“Bringthewholetitheintothestorehouse,thattheremaybefoodinmyhouse.Testmeinthis,”saystheLordAlmighty,“andseeifIwillnotthrowopenthefloodgatesofheavenandpouroutsomuchblessingthattherewillnotberoomenoughtostoreit.” APPLY 1. Whatwoulditmeanforyouto“sowgenerously”inyourgivingtotheLord?2. Keepyourchurchanditsministryinyourprayerstodayandtomorrow.Also,praythatJesus

wouldremoveanyfearsfromyourheartaboutgivinggenerously.PRAYLordJesus,blessourcongregationanditsgospelministry.Helpustoreachthelostwiththegospelandtonurtureandgrowthesaved.Ipraythatyouwouldremoveeveryfearofgivinggenerouslyfrommyheart.Youpromisethatthosewhosowgenerouslywillreapgenerously.Iamnotthinkingofaprofit.Ionlywanttopleaseandhonoryou,whobecamepoorformysake,thatImightbecomerich.Amen.


Day 15

January2018 16

2Corinthians9:7:Eachofyoushouldgivewhatyouhavedecidedinyourhearttogive,notreluctantlyorundercompulsion,forGodlovesacheerfulgiver.___________________________________________________________________________WhatkindofcompulsionwouldaChristianfeelwithgivingthatwouldleadhimorhertogivereluctantlyandnotcheerfully?Motivationthatcomesfromthelawwillalwaysputus“undercompulsion.”Someexamplesofthatmightbe:

• Youaretoldhowmuchtogivesothatmakingadecisioninyourheartistakenaway.• Youfeelthethreatthatifyoudon’tincreaseyourcontribution,theministryofyour

congregationwillsuffer.• YouthinkthatGodexpectsyoutogiveuntilithurtsortomakegreatsacrificesifyou

wantyourgifttobeacceptabletoGod.• YouthinkthatthesizeofyourofferingmakesyoumoreorlessacceptabletoGod.

Godwantsyoutogivecheerfullyandwillingly.ThathappenswhenyouaremotivatedbythegospelandwhenyougivefromGod’sabundance.Canyourecite2Corinthians8:9onemoretime?APPLY 1. DecideinyourheartwhatyouwanttogivetotheLord.RememberhowtheLordhas

blessedyou,notonlyfromthecrossandbutalsofromhisabundance.2. Keepyourchurchanditsministryinyourprayerstoday.Prayforyourcalledworkers,that

theymayservejoyfullyandfaithfully.Prayfortheleadersinyourchurch,thattheymightleaddiligentlyandwithjoy.

PRAYHeavenlyFather,thankyoufortheopportunitiesthatyousetbeforemetogivemyofferingsofpraisetoyou.Givingjoyfullyandnotundercompulsionisdifficultformebecauseofmysinfulnature.Givemeasingle-mindedheartthatfindsgreatjoyingiving.IaskthisinJesus’name.Amen.


Day 16

January2018 17

2Corinthians9:8-10:AndGodisabletoblessyouabundantly,sothatinallthingsatalltimes,havingallthatyouneed,youwillaboundineverygoodwork.9Asitiswritten:“Theyhavefreelyscatteredtheirgiftstothepoor;theirrighteousnessenduresforever.”10Nowhewhosuppliesseedtothesowerandbreadforfoodwillalsosupplyandincreaseyourstoreofseedandwillenlargetheharvestofyourrighteousness.___________________________________________________________________________Thetruthinthesewordsisoftensummarizedbythestatement,“Youcan’tout-givetheGiver.”Manyyearsago,duringasynodcapitalfundscampaign,afarmerwasmovedtogiveagenerousgiftfortheoffering—sogenerousthatitstretchedtheirbudgettothelimit.Atthesametime,thisfarmerhada30-acrefieldofhaythatgottoomaturebecauserainskepthimfromharvestingthehay.Hedecidedtoharvestthecloverseedfromthefieldinstead.Somepeoplelaughedwhenhestartedcombiningthefield,becauseitdidn’tseemliketherewasmuchcloverinthefield.However,thecropheharvestedwaswaymorethanheexpected.Infact,itmorethancoveredtheamountofthegifthehadgiventotheLord.Whenwegive,wegivenotfromourownabundance,butfromGod’sabundance.Wewillalwayshaveallthatweneedsothatwecanbegenerousoneveryoccasion.Youcan’tout-givetheGiver.APPLY 1. CanyoushareastorywithyourfamilyaboutanoccasionwhenGodblessedyoufromhis

abundanceinsomespecialway?2. Churchesareoftenina“scarcity”modewhenitcomestoplanningministry.Prayforyour

congregation,thatGodwouldblessitsministrywithanabundanceofbothhumanandfinancialresources,sothattogetheryoucandotheministryyouwanttodoandnotjustwhatyoucanaffordtodo.

PRAYHeavenlyFather,thankyouforprovidingallthatweneedinsuchabundancethatwecanbegenerousoneveryoccasion.Whenhaveweeverknownatimewhenwecouldnotaffordtogiveourofferingstoyou?Asweplanourgiftstoyou,remindustogivefromanattitudeofabundanceinsteadofanattitudeofscarcity.Weprayalsoforourcongregation,thatyouwillblessuswithanabundanceofvolunteersandfinancialresourcessothatwecancarryoutthegospelministrywewanttodoinyourname.Amen.


Day 17

January2018 18

2Corinthians9:11:Youwillbeenrichedineverywaysothatyoucanbegenerousoneveryoccasion,andthroughusyourgenerositywillresultinthanksgivingtoGod.___________________________________________________________________________WhatwillmygiftsandofferingstotheLordaccomplish?It’sgoodtoknowexactlywhatyourcongregationplanstoaccomplishwiththegiftsyoubring(refertoaddendumoneattheendofthishandout).Butthatisnottheultimategoalofourgiftsandourofferings.OurrealgoalistogivethankstoGod.Amanhadtheopportunitytothinkaboutwhathewouldgivetohischurchwhentheyplannedtobuildanewschool.Hehadputsomestockinacompanywhenhewas32yearsold.Hehadallbutforgottenthatstockuntiloneday,whenhewasinhismid-tolateseventies,hedecidedtolookatthatstocktoseeifhecouldgiftittohischurch.Theoriginal25shareshadmultipliedtoover400shares,eachworthseveralhundreddollars.Hedecidedtogivealmostallofthosesharestohischurch,saying,“AllofthiscamefromGod’sblessings.Ididn’tevenworkforit.Whyshouldn’tIgiveitbacktotheLord?”ThesmileonhisfacedemonstratedthatgivingitbacktoGodgivehimsuchjoy!JoyfulgenerosityresultsinthanksgivingtoGod.That’sourultimategoal!APPLY 1. Normally,ourregularevery-Sundaygivingcomesfromourregularincome.Whatresources

doyouhavethatcanbethesourceofsomespecialgiftwhentheoccasionarises?2. ThankofferingsintheOldTestamentwerecalled“firstfruits”givingbecausethebest,the

first,thechoicepartoftheharvestwasgiveninthankfulnesstoGod.Whatwouldbethe“firstfruits”ofyourlife:yourpre-taxincome,yourinvestments,yourtime,yourabilities,etc.?

PRAYHeavenlyFather,thankyouforeverythingthatIamandhaveinthislife.IamyourchildbyfaithinJesus,afaithyouworkedinmyheart.Youhavegivenmemyfamily,friends,andchurch.YouhaveblessedmewithanabundancethatmorethanmeetstheneedsthatIhaveinthislife.WhateverIgivebacktoyou,Idosoasathankoffering.LetyournamebeglorifiedinallthatIdo!Amen.


Day 18

January2018 19

2Corinthians9:12-14:ThisservicethatyouperformisnotonlysupplyingtheneedsoftheLord’speoplebutisalsooverflowinginmanyexpressionsofthankstoGod.13Becauseoftheservicebywhichyouhaveprovedyourselves,otherswillpraiseGodfortheobediencethataccompaniesyourconfessionofthegospelofChrist,andforyourgenerosityinsharingwiththemandwitheveryoneelse.14Andintheirprayersforyoutheirheartswillgoouttoyou,becauseofthesurpassinggraceGodhasgivenyou.___________________________________________________________________________Twoforonesale!Youhaveoftenseenthatadinthepaperorinthestorewindow.Buyoneandgetonefree.Yougetdoubleforyourmoney.Whatadeal!Here’sarealdeal.YoucangetdoublethethanksforyourgiftstoGod!ByyourofferingstoGod,yougivethankstoGodforallhismercytoyouinJesus(2Corinthians8:9).ThenGodisthankedagainwhenotherpeoplereceivethebenefitofyourgenerosity.ThesaintsinCorinthgavethankstoGodwiththeirgifts,andthesaintsinJerusalemgavethankstoGodfortheCorinthians’gifts.Doubleforyourmoney!Missionariesoftenconveythethanksofpeopleinthefarcornersoftheworldforthesupportthatpeoplelikeyougivetooursynod’smissionwork.Youprobablycouldn’taffordtosendamissionarysomewherebyyourself.That’swhywegatherourofferingstogether.Togetherwecandomorethanwecanbyourselves.Asaresult,Godreceivesdoublethanks!APPLY 1. Youprobablyreceivelotsofrequestsforyourmoneyduringtheyear.Don’tfeelguiltyifyou

choosenottosupportsomeofthem.“Decideinyourheart”whatyouwanttogivetothankGodforhisgoodnesstoyou.Thenchoosewhereyouwanttogivethatmoney.

2. Besidesyourcongregation,isthereaministrywhichhasaspecialplaceinyourheart?Get

toknowthatministry.Prayforit.GiveasGodgivesyoutheabilitytosupportit.PRAYLordJesus,therearemoreministriesthanIcouldpossiblysupport.Iprayforourmissionarieseverywhere,thatthegospelmaycontinuetobespreadacrosstheworld.Iprayfortheschoolsinoursynodandfortheyoungmenandwomenpreparingforministry.Iprayformycongregation,thatyouwouldcontinuetomoveustoproclaimthegospelinourcommunity.Ipraythisinyourname.Amen.


Day 19

January2018 20

2Corinthians9:13-14:Becauseoftheservicebywhichyouhaveprovedyourselves,otherswillpraiseGodfortheobediencethataccompaniesyourconfessionofthegospelofChrist,andforyourgenerosityinsharingwiththemandwitheveryoneelse.14Andintheirprayersforyoutheirheartswillgoouttoyou,becauseofthesurpassinggraceGodhasgivenyou.___________________________________________________________________________YourgiftsarenotonlyanexpressionofthankstoGod.YourgiftsalsocelebratethefellowshipwehavewithJesusandwitheachother.In1998,atornadorippedthroughacommunityinMinnesotaanddestroyedthesanctuaryofaWELScongregation.Thoughdevastatedthattheirchurchwasinruins,thegospelcontinuedtobeproclaimedoutofourfellowshiphalluntilanewchurchwasbuilt.Atthattime,membersofthesynodgaveover$250,000tothechurchthroughWELSChristianAidandRelief.Whatcaringpeoplewehaveinoursynod!Whatawonderfulexpressionoftheirfellowshipwitheachotherinthegospel!Whenwecometogethertobringourofferingstosupporttheministryofourcongregation,wealsocelebratethisfellowshipwehavewitheachotherinJesus.Godhasgivenushisabundantgraceinsomanyways!APPLY 1. Ourculturetodayhasmovedto“privatizingreligion.”Youcangetyourchurchonthe

Internetoryoucanvisitnumerouschurcheswithoutjoiningone.What’sthebenefitofjoiningandbecominginvolvedinaChristiancongregation?

2. Prayforyourcongregationandyoursynodeveryday.Especiallyprayforthosewhoaresick

orinneed.PRAYHolySpirit,youhavenotonlycalledustofaithinJesus,youhavegatheredusintoyourHolyChristianChurch.Iwanttothankyoutodayformycongregation.Thankyouforfellowbelieverswhoprayforme,encourageme,andwatchoutformysoul.Thankyoufortheministryweareabletodotogether,whichwecouldnotdoourselves.IpraythatyouwillalsomakemeablessingtoyourChurchandtomycongregation.Amen.


Day 20

January2018 21

2Corinthians9:15:ThanksbetoGodforhisindescribablegift!___________________________________________________________________________Whatawonderfulwaytoconcludethesechaptersandourmeditationsonthegraceofgiving!OurgivingisaresponsetoGod’sindescribablegrace(2Corinthians8:9—onemoretime!).It’sallaboutgrace,frombeginningtoend.Therefore,wewill:

• Lookupongivingasaprivilege,notachore• Givecheerfully,notreluctantlyorundercompulsion• GiveproportionatelyfromwhatGodhasgiventous• TrustGodtosupplywhatweneed• Valuetheexamplesofothersandbeanexampletoothers• WelcomeguidanceandencouragementfromChristianbrothersandsistersinthe

matterofgiving• RejoicetoworktogetherwithourfellowChristiansinusingourofferingsforGod’sglory

andtheworkofhiskingdom.ThegraceofJesusandthegraceofgivingarewoventogetherinhearts.ThanksbetoGodforhisindescribablegift!APPLY 1. Whathaveyoulearnedpersonallythroughthisjourneyinthegraceofgiving?2. Developapersonalplanforyourgiving.PRAYLordJesus,youwererich,butforoursakesyoubecomepoor,sothatthroughyourpovertywemightbecomerich.Acceptourofferingsnotonlyfromourhands,butalsofromourhearts.Leteverygiftcomefromacheerfulandgenerousheart.Giveusthefaithtoknowthatyouwillmakeusrichineverywaysothatoneveryoccasionwecanbegenerous,andthatourgenerositywillresultinthanksgivingtoyou.Amen.


Day 21

January2018 22

MAKINGDISCIPLESOFJESUS…

GATHERING GROWING GOINGAtSt.PaulLutheran,wearefocusedon“MakingDisciplesofJesus.”Adiscipleisn’tjustamemberofachurch.AdiscipleisafollowerofJesuswhoseentirelifeisimpactedbyJesus’loveandforgiveness.AdiscipleofJesusisconstantlyGathering,Growing,andGoing.

GATHERING

AdiscipleofJesusisconstantlygatheringwithotherChristianstopraiseourSaviorandhearhisWord.TheBibleencouragesus,“Letusnotgiveupmeetingtogether,assomeareinthehabitofdoing,butletusencourageoneanother—andallthemoreasyouseetheDayapproaching”(Hebrews10:25).Thefocalpointofourcongregation’sministryisgatheringwitheachothereachweekendinourworshipservices.AdiscipleisneverdoneGATHERING!

GROWING

Anhourortwoinchurcheachweekisn’ttheendgoal,however.AdiscipleofJesusisconstantlygrowinginhisorherfaithinChristandknowledgeofhisWord.TheBibleencouragesus,“GrowinthegraceandknowledgeofourLordandSaviorJesusChrist”(2Peter3:18).OurcongregationismakingdisciplesbyencouragingeveryonetobegrowingintheirfaithbymakingpersonalandfamilydevotionsapriorityandbyseekingopportunitiestodigdeepintoGod’struthinourregularBiblestudies.AdiscipleisneverdoneGROWING!

GOING

AdiscipleofJesusisconstantlygoingouttosharethemessageofJesus’forgivenessandtoserveotherswiththeselflessnessofJesus’love.Jesusencouragesus,“Goandmakedisciplesofallnations”(Matthew28:19).Jesushasgivenussomethingfartoogreattokeeptoourselves.OurcongregationismakingdisciplesbyequippingeveryonetogointoourcommunitytoserveselflesslyandshareboldlythemessageofJesus.AdiscipleisneverdoneGOING!

Didyounoticehowthedescriptionofadiscipleusesalotofwordsendingin“-ing”?That’sbecausebeingadiscipleofJesusisnever-ending,atleastnotuntilwereachJesus’sideinheaven.Ourcongregationisfocusedonthenever-endingministryofmakingdisciplesofJesuswhoareconstantlygathering,growing,andgoingwiththegospelofChrist

January2018 23

My Personal Giving Plan

I believe that though Jesus was rich, yet for my sake he becaNov-18me poor, so that through his poverty I may become rich. As a child of God and thankful for all of God’s abundant blessings, I plan to:

• _____ Pray for my congregation, its called workers and its members • _____ Continue to grow in my faith by _________________________________

__________________________________________________________

• _____ Volunteer my time and abilities as God gives me strength, especially in the following areas: ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

• _____ Give financially to the support of St. Paul Lutheran Church

Total to be given in one year: $________ (see chart on the next page)

Check method of contribution: ___ Weekly ___ Monthly ___ Lump-sum payment

Name: ______________________________________________________________

January2018 24

jg-devotions-0517 rev 2€¦ · heavenly father, you are the source of every good and perfect gift....

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