“Excel”
“Excel”
Blessings folk!
As we have seen previously, “giving” begins with giving yourself to the Lord.
Read the passage again…remember, repetition is at the heart of learning.
2 Co 8:1-7
We want you to know, brothers,
about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,
for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
For they gave according to their means, as I can testify,
and beyond their means, of their own accord,
begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—
and this, not as we expected,
but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started,
so he should complete among you this act of grace.
But as you excel in everything
—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you
—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
Paul urged Titus to “complete among you this act of grace.”
Paul exhorted them…the Corinthian church… to follow-through in the act of grace - giving to the needs of the saints.
The Macedonians were a good example.
Now, they needed to help.
Paul acknowledged that they were excelling in many things…
- in faith
- in speech
- in knowledge
- in all earnestness
- in love for OneAnother
(This is all really interesting considering the things that Paul addressed in his communication with the Corinthian church!)
Now, Paul wants them to excel in the act of grace of giving.
So should we.
What have we learned about “giving”?
- give yourself
- by the grace of God
- in abundance of joy
- overflowing in generosity
- according to our means
- beyond our means
- of our own accord
- in support of fellow believers/saints
- complete it
- excel
- it is an act of grace…grace from the Lord.
Is this how your give?
Or…
Do you give in response to man-made mandated manipulation of the Word?