25 Oct November 17th Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

RICH GENEROSITY — GRACE OF GIVING – PART III

2 Corinthians 8:10-12 “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. 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 one does not have.”

A commitment was made by the church at Corinth to gather a special offering to send to the struggling Christians in Jerusalem.  In fact, St. Paul writes in today’s devotional verse the Corinthians were the first group of Christians that determined they would collect and send their financial gift to aid their fellow Christians in need.  It appears from Paul’s words although they had made the commitment a year earlier, they had not yet completed it.

Jesus’ Disciples made commitments to Him on a number of occasions.  One of those was given by them to Him in the upper room just prior to His arrest in the garden.  Jesus then took them with Him into the garden to enter into a time of prayer.  They had been men of bold words in the upper room, but once in the garden their humanity took over.  Instead of praying, they went to sleep.  Finding them asleep Jesus woke them and said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)  Their commitment was strong but their follow-through was not.

The Corinthians and the Disciples were strong on commitment, their follow-through floundered a bit.  Your commitment at the time of your Confirmation was strong, but to be honest, wouldn’t you admit there have been times when your follow-through has been weak?  God doesn’t expect anything  from you that you do not have.  However, He does guide you through His commandment to “love Him with all of your heart and soul” (First Commandment) and “your neighbor as yourself.” (Second Commandment)

Remember Jesus says to you, “whatever you have done to the least of these my brothers you have done it unto Me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Prayer:  Lord, You have blessed me abundantly, far beyond what I deserve.  Lead and guide me to use Your blessing faithfully in support of myself, my family and for the good of others always to Your glory for Jesus’ sake.  Amen.

Praise and thanksgiving, Father, we offer

For all things living, Created good;

Harvest of sown fields, Fruits of the orchard,

Hay from the mown fields, Blossom and wood.

Bless, Lord, the labor We bring to serve You

That with out neighbor We may be fed.

Sowing or tilling, We would work with You,

Harvesting, milling For daily bread.

Father, providing Food for Your children,

By Your wise guiding Teach us to share

Once with another, So that, rejoicing

With us, all others May know Your care.

(LSB 789)