Scripture Union Daily Guide 1 May 2024 – Excel In This Grace of Giving
Scripture Union Daily Guide 1 May 2024 (Wednesday) Devotional Message
TOPIC: Excel In This Grace of Giving
OPENING PRAYER: Oh Lord, fill me with the power of the Holy Ghost as I study your word.
SCRIPTURE: 2 CORINTHIANS 8:1-15 (NIV)
1 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.
2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,
4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.
5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.
7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10 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.
11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.
14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is 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.”
Question(s) for Reflection
* Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
* Q7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 1 May 2024 MESSAGE
Paul testified about “the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches” (vs. 1, 6, 7, 9). Notice how this grace is described in v.2. The choice of carefully selected phrases like “very severe trial”, “overflowing joy”, “extreme poverty”, “rich generosity” clearly explain why Paul sees this as evidence of the grace of God. How else can anyone explain the incredible generosity and joy despite their many afflictions and extreme poverty! How does this encourage you as a worthy Christian example for your personal, family or church life today?
Read vs.3-5 carefully again and discover five exemplary practices of rich kingdom generosity from the Macedonian churches. They were spontaneous in identifying and meeting the needs of fellow believers and gave far beyond their abilities (v.3). Paul related the grace of rich generosity (v.2) directly with the “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v.9). Jesus gave us the best example in giving. In which areas of your life does this divine exchange encourage your faith in this season of your life? The apostolic church exhibited this grace (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37).
The Church of God today needs this grace of God for rich generosity. No one is too poor to give, and there is none too rich to be exploited in the house of God. If a Christian finds that giving is burdensome and less spontaneous, then this grace of God is lacking and needs to be urgently sought.
Practice/Word Application
So what? Meditate on 2 Corinthians 8:7 and turn this into prayer.
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Offer a prayer of faith in line with John 15:9
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 122 – Psalm 133
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN
Wed May 01, 2024
PRAYER FOCUS
PROJECTS IN THE MINISTRY
‘For thou art great, and does wondrous things: thou art God alone’.
Psalms . 86: 10
THANK GOD FOR:
* The work of SU Ministry throughout the Regions.
* Being our ever present God and helper.
PRAY FOR:
* Speedy completion of all outstanding projects in the Regions.
* Availability of funds for the Ministry’s projects.
* God to prove Himself our God concerning the completion of Camp of Hope, Benin.