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7 Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you —so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking. 8 I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 10 And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something— 11 now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. 12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. 13 I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between 14 your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. 15 As it is written, "The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little." (2 Corinthians 8:7-15 NRSV Bible)
Dear Friend, may the grace and peace of the Lord be with you as you spend time with God in prayer and reflection. May you also lift up these prayer requests as shared with us by our church, First Methodist of Gonzales: Prayers for Bill and Cheryl Meadows. Bill is in the hospital in Victoria. They have found a cancerous mass. He has more tests today. Please pray for them and the decisions to come. Please pray for Pastor Matt Pennington’s family. His grandmother Eva Pennington passed away last week. They will be traveling to McComb, Mississippi on Wednesday for her funeral on Thursday. Services will be at Hartman-Jones Funeral Home at 11am on Thursday. Please pray for Trey Moonie (45), friend of Connie Davis’ niece who has same type of leukemia as her niece’s husband. His Stem cell replacement did not work. After many weeks of different failed procedures, he is leaving MD Anderson to go home to New Braunfels. Please pray for his wife, 2 children, and family. And, last but not least, Mr. James Knox, Opra Knox’s husband, who is in the hospital and needs our prayers. And pray for one another and know that someone is praying for you.
The Apostle Paul was a man driven by his drive to be the best in all that he attempted; both in his spiritual life and in the life of his profession. He was promoted and achieved the level of success he had because of that drive to be excellent in all things. Once he gave his life to Jesus, the drive did not diminish and I genuinely believe that's why God chose him because of his determination to see things through, so it is not surprise to read his words urging those who followed him to hear him "to excel in everything -- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you -- so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking." And it is not a command, but as a urging to share in the way they had seen others share with him.
Paul points the Corinthians to the ultimate example of generosity—the selfless act of Jesus Christ. Though Jesus was rich in glory and honor, He willingly became poor for our sake. He left the splendor of heaven to dwell among us, ultimately giving His life on the cross so that we might become spiritually rich through His sacrifice. This act of sacrificial love demonstrates the depth of God's generosity towards us and serves as a model for our own generosity towards others.
Paul commends the Corinthians for their eagerness and initial commitment to support the collection for the saints in Jerusalem. He urges them to complete what they started, not out of obligation but out of a genuine desire to bless others. Paul emphasizes that God desires our gifts to be given willingly and joyfully, according to our means. It is not about the amount we give but the heart behind our giving that matters to God.
Paul was very much about living a generous life. He had known and been blessed by the kindness of strangers as well as the reality of lean times when he had nothing; and he did not want that for his followers; he wanted them to be blessed abundantly to complete the task of winning the world for Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for the example of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who showed us what true generosity looks like by giving His very life for us. Help us, Lord, to excel in every aspect of our faith, including our eagerness to give and support those in need. Teach us to give generously, not out of compulsion but with joy and gratitude for all You have blessed us with. May our gifts bring relief and hope to those who are in need, reflecting Your abundant love in action. In Jesus' strong name, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Reflect on our attitudes towards giving and ask God to cultivate a generous spirit within us. Like the Corinthians, let us follow through on our commitments to give, ensuring that our actions match our initial eagerness. Consider how we can use our abundance to meet the needs of others, trusting God to provide for both us and those we support. May our lives be marked by the generosity inspired by Christ's example, bringing glory to His name and blessing to those around us.
I love you and I thank God for you,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
