Slices
Prepare
When living out your faith gets tough, what keeps you going?
Bible passage
The collection for the Lord’s people
8 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.’
Explore
The context Paul is writing in is challenging, and asking for money is never easy. Paul longs to see the Corinthian church’s contribution to his collection for the poor Judean believers materialise (1 Corinthians 16:1–4). By way of motivation, he appeals boldly to their expressed desires – both to participate in this ministry (v 10) and to excel in their faith (v 7). How often do we also get stuck between genuine good intentions and completed action, between desiring and doing? At the same time, Paul is sensitive to perceptions and practicalities, emphasising that he is not trying to force them (v 8) nor push them over any financial edge (v 13). What is the best appeal for giving you have heard?
But the key to Paul’s entreaty is grace (v 9). It is being the rich beneficiaries of God’s generous grace that kindles our own desire to love and give – hence the Macedonians offering themselves to God first and then to his people (v 5).
Perhaps more humbling still, our offerings re-enact that which motivated them and so continue to release the power of grace around us in fresh ways. How does it feel to see your giving – of time, money, gifts, resources – with this kind of kingdom significance? Our offering of grace, flowing from a desire motivated by receiving grace, is not only a practical service but a spiritual participation in God’s grace-shaped pattern and his good purposes.
Respond
‘God, you know my desires to share in your ways and work; please strengthen me to see them fulfilled.‘
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Proverbs 19,20; 1 Thessalonians 2
Pray for Scripture Union
Thank God for a growing sense of unity in the Fundraising team (Aaron Hayford, Annie Clifton, Kathy Brooks and Simon Tuck). Pray that God will guide their work, open new opportunities, and help them to serve faithfully together with integrity.
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