About Christianity and the Christian Faith
Christian Living
- Sowing and reaping (2 Corinthians 9 v 6-11) April 17, 2012
- Following through (2 Corinthians 9 v 1-5) April 16, 2012
- RIght thing, right way (2 Corinthians 8 v 16-24) April 15, 2012
Explore God's Word Daily helps you open up the Bible to be refreshed and encouraged in your walk with God. "Explore" is the daily Bible-reading devotional from The Good Book Company (www.thegoodbook.com). Contributors include: Dr Timothy Keller, Senior Pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York; Mike McKinley, Senior pastor of Guilford Baptist Church; Tim Chester, author and pastor of Crowded House, Sheffield, UK; Mark Meynell, Senior Associate Minister at All Soul’s Langham Place, London, UK. Editors: Tim Thornborough and Carl Laferton.
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Friday, April 13, 2012 | 12:26 PM
In God’s economy, the more you give, the more you have. The question is whetherwe believe it. If we do, we’ll act on it!
Generous sowing
Read 2 Corinthians 9 v 6-9Paul now moves on to talk about some principles of giving.
• What is the principle in verse 6?
• How should we decide what to give (v 7)?Again we’re reminded that God cares not just about what we give, but how we give it. But the question in our minds should
be: How can I give sacrificially, going without things myself, and do it cheerfully?• What can we trust that God will do (v 8)?
• If we really trust God to do this, how will this enable us to give both sacrificially and cheerfully?................................
TIME OUT
The attitude and amount of our giving will be driven by where we find security in life.
Read Psalm 112.
This is a wonderful picture of a man who lives for God. Look where his security comes from (v 6-8). Look how this affects his generosity (v 5, 9).
• Where is your security? In bank accounts, shares, investments, pensions… or in trusting the LORD?
................................Righteous harvest
Read verses 10-11• What kind of harvest is being enlarged in verse 10?
• How does that guide our understanding of what it means to be “made rich in every way” (v 11)?
• If we’re generous, God gives us more. Why (v 11)?On first reading, you might think these verses are suggesting that Christians who give generously will get more money— and they might. God is certainly able to ensure that those who give sacrificially have enough for themselves (v 8). But the
harvest is a harvest of righteousness—spiritual riches.
Notice also that God gives generously to those who are already being generous. Our giving is an act of faith: faith that as we give, God will give to us. It’s not a case of waiting for God to make us rich before we begin giving sacrificially and cheerfully.................................
PRAY
Thank God for His ongoing grace, providing everything you need. Thank God that you are able to find true security in Him.
Ask God to help you see how much you can give, and who He wants you to give it to. And pray that He would give you a cheerful heart as you give away your money, and your time and efforts.
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This devotional is taken from Explore—a daily Bible-reading devotional from The Good Book Company which enables you to engage with Scripture and which will encourage, equip and inspire you to live for Christ. Explore features contributions from pastors such as Dr Timothy Keller, Mike McKinley and Tim Chester.
Click here and enter the code bstexplore58 when you check out to get the next quarter’s Explore for $5.84, a 10% discount.
Click here and enter bstexploresub when you check out to buy a year’s worth at 25% off—just $16.Keep a record of what God is teaching you with "My Bible" at BibleStudyTools.com
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Thursday, April 12, 2012 | 13:01 PM
Most of us are very good at making promises to do things—and we fully intend to keep them. But sometimes it can be a little harder to actually follow through with some action…
An unnecessary letter?
Read 2 Corinthians 9 v 1-3• What do we learn about how the Corinthians had felt the previous year?
• Why is Paul sending the brothers (v 2-3)?
• So he doesn’t need to write (v 1)—but why does he want them to read these words before the brothers arrive?Paul is all for enthusiasm, and making promises. He has no problem with the Corinthians saying how much they want to help with the collection. But he does want them to follow through on their promises. We probably all know people who are all words and no action, and we see how difficult they can make things at home, at work and at church. We don’t want to be like that—especially not when it comes to promises we have made before God.
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APPLY
Ask someone close to you, who you can trust to be honest with you, how good you are at keeping your promises. If the answer isn’t so good, think about how you might promise less but keep your promises more.
.......................................................A necessary visit
Read verses 4-5• What had the Corinthians’ initial attitude inspired in the Macedonian churches (look back at v 2 and then 8 v 1-5)?
• What does Paul want from the Corinthians now? What does he not want (v 5)?
• Look back at 8 v 9. What is the ultimate motivation for giving in the way God wants?Paul is saying to them: Come on, finish what you have started! Follow through on your good intentions! When it comes to giving, as we see in the example of the Macedonians and of Jesus Himself, it’s not the thought that counts—it’s the action! But Paul remembers their initial enthusiasm. And so he’s confident that the brothers will find them ready to give, and looking forward to being able to give.
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APPLY
• If Paul were writing to your church, is there anything he would look at and say: Follow through on your good intention —let’s see some action!
• What about if Paul were writing to you as an individual Christian?
• Is there any good intention you need to put into action today? How will you do it?
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Wednesday, April 11, 2012 | 10:24 AM
If you have ever had to apply for a passport or another important legal document, you’ll know that you have to do things just right. Everything has to be completely above board, so that everyone can see things are being done properly. That’s the situation Paul faces here.
The right people
Read 2 Corinthians 8 v 16-21Paul is sending Titus in a team who will collect the church’s offering (v 18).
• Why does Paul emphasise Titus’ attitude to the Corinthians, do you think (v 16-17)?
• What does Paul emphasise about the “other brother” (v 18-19)?
• What is the purpose of the offering (v 19)?
• What is Paul’s goal in sending Titus and the brother (v 20-21)?We’ve seen that as well as what we do, it matters why we do it. And it also matters how we do it. The principle is simple: Paul doesn’t only want to do the right thing in God’s sight; he wants to be seen to do the right thing in the world’s sight.
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APPLY
• Think about the way you deal with money. Would it stand up in the eyes of the Lord—and in the eyes of men?
Seek to be the kind of person who is known for financial integrity and honesty.
..................................The right reception
Read verses 22-24• In verses 22-23, what does Paul emphasise about all three team members (Titus, the brother of v 17, and the brother of v 22)?
• What does he want the Corinthians to do (v 24)?
• Why are they to do this (v 22-24)?This is one of a number of places in the New Testament where we see the early church being hospitable. They were to receive and welcome these men, and to look after them while they were in Corinth, because of the kind of men these three were.
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APPLY
• How can you be hospitable to fellow brothers and sisters in Christ?
• Does your church have a reputation in other churches for recognising and loving godly gospel workers (v 24)?
• How could you yourself help your church gain, or add to, this reputation?
..................................This devotional is taken from Explore—a daily Bible-reading devotional from The Good Book Company which enables you to engage with Scripture and which will encourage, equip and inspire you to live for Christ. Explore features contributions from pastors such as Dr Timothy Keller, Mike McKinley and Tim Chester.
Click here and enter the code bstexplore58 when you check out to get the next quarter’s Explore for $5.84, a 10% discount.
Click here and enter bstexploresub when you check out to buy a year’s worth at 25% off—just $16.Keep a record of what God is teaching you with "My Bible" at BibleStudyTools.com
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Wednesday, April 11, 2012 | 10:20 AM
Both the Macedonian church and Jesus Christ have challenged us to give sacrificially. Now Paul gives us two more principles when it comes to financial giving, which answer two common heartattitudes Christians struggle with.
“Well, if I must…”
Read 2 Corinthians 8 v 10-12• What is Paul’s advice to the Corinthians (v 10-11)?
• What makes the gift acceptable (v 12)?Giving isn’t simply to be sacrificial, but also willing.
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APPLY
• Would you describe your regular giving to your church as voluntary—or grudging? To put it another way: if no one encouraged you to give, would you still do it?
If not—if deep down you’d rather not give—pray for a right attitude to giving, and ask that God will use these studies on 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 to help you to be a willing giver. Perhaps begin right now, by memorising verse 9.
................................................“Is that enough?”
Read verses 13-15• What is the principle that Paul is working to in verses 13 and 14?
• How does verse 15 reinforce this principle?................................................
TIME OUT
Paul quotes here from Exodus 16 v 18. When Paul quotes from the Old Testament, he generally doesn’t just have one verse in mind, but also the passage where the verse comes from. Exodus 16 is the account of how Israel were fed by
God in the wilderness.
Read Exodus 16 v 13-20.
• What happens in verses 19 and 20?
• How can this section help Christians in our thinking about the finances God has given us?
................................................So much of what Paul writes here is about attitude. It would probably be easier if he said: “Just give 10% of your income, and be done with it”. Tithing (giving a tenth) is not a bad principle. But Paul is less interested in what we do than why we do
it—he focuses on what’s going on in our hearts as and when we give.
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TIME OUT
• What wrong motivations could Christians have for giving their money?
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APPLY
• What does Paul challenge the Corinthians to do in verse 11?
How often good intentions don’t translate into real action!
• Is there any change to your finances you know you ought to make? Will you do it today?
................................................This devotional is taken from Explore—a daily Bible-reading devotional from The Good Book Company which enables you to engage with Scripture and which will encourage, equip and inspire you to live for Christ. Explore features contributions from pastors such as Dr Timothy Keller, Mike McKinley and Tim Chester.
Click here and enter the code bstexplore58 when you check out to get the next quarter’s Explore for $5.84, a 10% discount.
Click here and enter bstexploresub when you check out to buy a year’s worth at 25% off—just $16.Keep a record of what God is teaching you with "My Bible" at BibleStudyTools.com
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Wednesday, April 11, 2012 | 10:14 AM
Sometimes we all need a little nudge, a little gentle persuasion, to do the right thing. Sometimes it’s not enough to know what we need to do—we need somebody else to prod us to make the right decision. That’s what Paul’s doing here.
A nudge
Read 2 Corinthians 8 v 6-8• What is Titus coming to do? Why is he the right man for the job (v 6)?
• What do you think Paul is trying to do in verse 7?
• Paul calls giving a “grace” twice in these verses (v 6, 7). Why, do you think?
• How might the example of others (v 8) motivate the Corinthians show their love?Paul is using his persuasive powers to get the Corinthians thinking properly and acting rightly. Most of all, he wants to point them to not to a church, but to a person…
The example
Read verse 9Paul has already talked about the example of the Macedonians—and how the Corinthians should follow their example. But now he brings forward the example— the Lord Jesus Christ. Look closely at verse 9, as Paul reminds us of the undeserved grace we have received from Jesus Christ.
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TIME OUT
To help you appreciate the shape of Jesus’ journey from rich to poor, read Philippians 2 v 6-11.
Here we see how Jesus came down from the riches of heaven to die for us on the cross—and all so that we might be made ...........................................• Using both 2 Corinthians 8 and Philippians 2…
• How was the Lord Jesus Christ “rich”?
• How did Jesus Christ become poor?
• Why did He do this?
• Why will knowing Jesus’ grace transform someone’s attitude to worldly wealth?If we know what Jesus gave up for us, we’ll give out to others—and we’ll give sacrificially. We’ll go without the things that would make life most easy or comfortable, so that we can give others what they need—just as Jesus did.
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PRAY
Re-read verse 9. Thank Jesus for what He gave up for you. Thank Him for putting your eternal future ahead of His heavenly wealth. Pray for any areas of your life where you know you struggle to give up what you have in order to serve Jesus. Pray that you would keep His grace in focus, so that you can live for Him.
...........................................This devotional is taken from Explore—a daily Bible-reading devotional from The Good Book Company which enables you to engage with Scripture and which will encourage, equip and inspire you to live for Christ. Explore features contributions from pastors such as Dr Timothy Keller, Mike McKinley and Tim Chester.
Click here and enter the code bstexplore58 when you check out to get the next quarter’s Explore for $5.84, a 10% discount.
Click here and enter bstexploresub when you check out to buy a year’s worth at 25% off—just $16.Keep a record of what God is teaching you with "My Bible" at BibleStudyTools.com
