11TH NOVEMBER
2 Corinthians 8:9
“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 by his poverty might become rich.”
Jesus became poor so we could become rich!
After a sermon on the topic of giving, a man said to me, “I don’t have a problem with giving, I just have a problem with how much I keep for myself.” Isn’t this true for many of us? I must admit, when I think about my giving, my first thought is often, “Well, how much do I need?” But is this the mindset God wants us to have?
In this passage, Paul is writing to a church that has lost its passion for giving generously. He’s reminding the church of Jesus’ generosity to motivate them in their giving. Paul is, in effect, saying, “Remember, Jesus didn’t just give a tithe, he gave up his riches in heaven in becoming a man, all the way to his last breath on the cross. Remember that when Jesus gave all we became rich with his grace!”
This is the mindset God wants us to have when it comes to our giving. A mindset that says, “God I surrender all. Lord, I will give up my own comforts so that others can encounter you.”
In a world that values money and worships materialism, we have an opportunity to give generously so that those who are lost can be found, those who are blind can see and those who are poor may become truly rich in Jesus’ grace.
MAKE IT PERSONAL:
How has God has used your local church to develop you as a follower of Christ. What are the gospel ministries that have been a blessing to you. Who are the missionaries and faith workers you know. Now pray and ask God how he wants you to assign the finances he has entrusted to you.