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- Apr 25, 2006
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True giving (1)
'SEE THAT YOU ALSO EXCEL IN THIS GRACE OF GIVING.' 2 CORINTHIANS 8:7
God loves a happy giver, whether it's giving your time, giving your money or giving your dedication to something; it all puts a smile on God's face. The apostle Paul talks about a bunch of people who gave generously in loads of ways even though things were tough.
Listen to this: '...I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which God is working in the churches in Macedonia province. Fierce troubles came down on the people in those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colours: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of...generous gifts...They gave offerings of whatever they could - far more than they could afford! - pleading for the privilege of helping...This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us.
The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives' (2 Corinthians 8:1-6 TM). Check this out about givers from Macedonia:
1) They gave their lives to Jesus, with no strings attached.
2) They understood that everything they possessed was given them by God in the first place. This kind of giving isn't just giving because somebody is begging, or giving because you feel guilty, or giving because you're trying to do a deal with God. No, this is giving out of the massive blessings God has already given to you. You might not have much money, but with God you're rich in loads of other ways. So share it!
written by Bob Gass
'SEE THAT YOU ALSO EXCEL IN THIS GRACE OF GIVING.' 2 CORINTHIANS 8:7
God loves a happy giver, whether it's giving your time, giving your money or giving your dedication to something; it all puts a smile on God's face. The apostle Paul talks about a bunch of people who gave generously in loads of ways even though things were tough.
Listen to this: '...I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which God is working in the churches in Macedonia province. Fierce troubles came down on the people in those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colours: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of...generous gifts...They gave offerings of whatever they could - far more than they could afford! - pleading for the privilege of helping...This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us.
The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives' (2 Corinthians 8:1-6 TM). Check this out about givers from Macedonia:
1) They gave their lives to Jesus, with no strings attached.
2) They understood that everything they possessed was given them by God in the first place. This kind of giving isn't just giving because somebody is begging, or giving because you feel guilty, or giving because you're trying to do a deal with God. No, this is giving out of the massive blessings God has already given to you. You might not have much money, but with God you're rich in loads of other ways. So share it!
written by Bob Gass
