Joy and Generosity
SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 
Read the passage
BIO: Hi, I’m Jaime Brackett. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Chase, and am a home school mom to our fun boys Jay (5) and Benjamin (3). I serve as a baptism aid at FPCO and as the teaching leader for the Orlando Evening Women’s class of Bible Study Fellowship International. I enjoy reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
KEY VERSE: 2 Corinthians 8:5 by they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.
CENTRAL TRUTH: Personal dedication to God inspires generous and joyful giving.
DEVOTIONAL: Joy and Generosity
How is your giving these days? Are you struggling in the current economy? Maybe you have felt that since you can’t give a full tithe, it’s better to not tithe at all until you can. Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church reveals that they had fallen under similar thinking. Vs. 12 implies that the Corinthians had delayed in making a collection for the needy saints at Jerusalem hoping that they would be able to send more at a later date. But Paul uses the Macedonian’s as an example of a people who by God’s grace (vs. 1) were filled with such joy that they were able to give according to their ability but sacrificially and voluntarily. This was an amazing act of God’s grace because the Macedonians were at that time extremely impoverished and war-torn and could have chosen to save up for themselves like the Corinthians. But the Macedonians had first given themselves to God (vs. 5), which simply means that first and above all things they completely committed their lives to Christ. It is in this area where the focus must be in our lives as well. Committing your life completely to Christ is more than accepting Him as Lord and Savior but continuing to live as you were before He called you to Himself. The exhortation Paul gives here is further understood when you contemplate Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Christ gave of Himself completely and the Macedonians, because their lives were fully dedicated to the Lord, were filled with joy and consequently they gave with joy and great generosity. Our prayers today should be that we too give our lives so completely to Christ that His will is done through us and therefore others needs are met as we loosen our grip and step out in faith. Personal dedication to God inspires generous and joyful giving.
QUESTION 1: Have you completely committed your life to Christ such that you no longer live but Christ lives in you?
QUESTION 2: Will you ask God to extend His grace to you as He did to the Macedonians so that you are able to joyfully and generously support His work?
QUESTION 3: N/A