Scripture Union Daily Guide 14 June 2024 (Friday) Devotional Message
TOPIC: Cheerful Giving
OPENING PRAYER: Help me to understand the exceeding greatness of your power as I read through this passage, dear Lord.
SCRIPTURE: 2 CORINTHIANS 9:1-15
Question(s) for Reflection
* Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 14 June 2024 Outline:
Giving is an act of love. A gift given reluctantly or under duress is not enjoyable and cannot be used with a free conscience. In chapter 8 (May 1), we saw that the Macedonians gave willingly because they had first given themselves to God. They gave out of love which made the gift very precious. Giving reluctantly does not attract God’s blessing. Cheerful giving unlocks God’s blessings on the giver (vs.8,11).
Real giving in the church results from a committed and surrendered heart to God. Those who have a deep and personal knowledge of God will give to support God’s work with gladness. Where there is love, gifts will flow.
Today people are deceived by some false and greedy church leaders. Some are intimidated into parting with their money and properties in the name of giving to God so that the givers “will get the desires of their hearts”. God is turned into a Lotto machine. Mature Christians will give to a clear and understood cause. And whatever believers give is to “supply the needs of God’s people” (v.12) and not to feed the leader’s greed and frivolous lifestyle. These and lack of adequate accountability are the reasons some people refuse to give.
Practice/Word Application
Action: Read Proverbs 11:24-25 and Deuteronomy 15:10-11. How can these verses prompt you into action to contribute to a specific need?
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
Pray for grace of giving.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Numbers 23:19
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 166 – Psalms 134, 146-150
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN 14TH JUNE 2024
Still on SUCF.
THANK GOD FOR:
* The safe arrival of conferees to SUCF Conference yesterday.
PRAY FOR:
* God’s abiding presence and visitation in the Conference
PRAY AGAINST:
Any form of unwholesomeness in the Conference ground and among SUCF members.