Giving Sunday 2024
February 4, 2024
This Sunday we take a look at the ‘crazy’ Macedonians who were begging Paul to take part in the offering for the suffering Judeans. What produces generosity like that? What makes us want to give away our money? Paul writes that God loves a cheerful giver. Yet, God is not sadistic, demanding we look pleased when we suffer. Rather, we find a God who has given everything for us. He came poor that we might become rich. As we explore these gospel promises we realise God loves a cheerful giver not for His own sake but for ours. It is a sign that we have truly understood the breathtaking news that through His poverty we are made rich. When you know you already have everything, you’re free to give it all away.
Steve Morrison
In this series:
2 Corinthians 8:1–5 (Listen)
Encouragement to Give Generously
8:1 We want you to know, brothers,1 about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor2 of taking part in the relief of the saints—5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
Footnotes
[1] 8:1
[2] 8:4
(ESV)
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service.
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