Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 125-127; 2 Corinthians 8
Devotional Thought:
Jesus said to his disciples, “…where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34) The way we spend the money God has entrusted to us is a big indicator of what our priorities are. Paul was commending the Corinthian church for their tremendous giving spirit and generous testimony. When God gets your heart, He gets the rest of you. Paul tells this church how much he appreciates their giving. “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave of their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” (vs. 5) God’s design for the local church is that everyone should participate in the giving. The burden of the ministry ought not be carried by the twenty percent, but by everyone doing what God wants them to do. “For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened. But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality…” (vs. 13) The Corinthian church had the privilege of investing in the work in Jerusalem. Paul explains that this is not just his burden, but it is a burden that is shared by Titus. Paul sent another well-respected brother to assist Titus in the collection. Paul’s intention was to encourage the Corinthian church to give honestly before God, and he promised them that proper accountability was in place regarding man. This chapter is a tremendous encouragement for us Christians to see everything we have, as God’s and we are responsible to be faithful stewards. We are to use God’s assets the way He asks us to use them. We all have a responsibility to be honest before God. Would God consider you honest and faithful with all that He has entrusted to you?
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to give as you ask me to give. Help me to be a facilitator of your resources and help me to never act like an owner.
• Lord, help me to always give out of love. Help me to grow in my love for you each day and in my love for the brothers and sisters you place in my life.
• Lord, please help Faith Baptist Church to always be ready and willing to invest in other churches who have need.