Day 61 — Generosity Shaped by Grace

Day 61 · Following Christ in All of Life · 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 (NET2)

Paul encourages generous support for believers in need. He points to the grace of Jesus Christ and to willing giving according to what people have. The purpose is not to burden some so others can live comfortably. Christian generosity responds to grace with practical care, taking real needs and real resources seriously. It can be joyful without becoming pressured or performative.

Request

Father, let the grace of Jesus shape my willingness to share. Amen.

Read

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

¹ Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters, the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia, ² that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their generosity. ³ For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily, ⁴ begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping the saints. ⁵ And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God. ⁶ Thus we urged Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work, so also he should complete this act of kindness for you. ⁷ But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you —make sure that you excel in this act of kindness too. ⁸ I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparison with the eagerness of others. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich. ¹⁰ So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give, ¹¹ to finish what you started, so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly, you can also complete it according to your means. ¹² For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have. ¹³ For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality. ¹⁴ At the present time, your abundance will meet their need, so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality, ¹⁵ as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

Scripture: NET Bible, Second Edition (NET2).

Reflect

1. What safeguards and motivations does Paul give for generosity?
2. What need could you help meet within your actual resources?

Restate

Explain giving according to what you have as a response to grace.

Respond

Let the passage guide your prayer. Use these prompts in your own words:

• Praise: Praise Christ for his self-giving grace.
• Thanksgiving: Thank God for resources you can share.
• Confession: Confess either reluctance or giving mainly for appearance.
• Intercession: Pray for believers in material need.
• Petition: Ask for willing and wise generosity.

Carry it into today: Offer practical help or a gift you can responsibly give.