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Day 130 2 Corinthians 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 Not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, he would also complete this grace in you as well. Have you noticed how the people who are the happiest, and give more to those in need are themselves in poverty? Yet, people who have the means to help are tightfisted and give only when compelled to for the good of their image. Paul saw the joy in the Corinthians to help the churches in Macedonia even though they suffered greatly and were in poverty themselves. He commended them for their help in their ability to give to the saints in those churches. First, they gave themselves to the Lord, and then to Paul and his companions. Therefore, he urged Titus to continue in the work he started with them. Christians act like the world when it comes to helping other Christians in need. The poorer they are, the more they give. The wealthier they are, the more tightfisted they are, giving only for show. Jesus showed His disciples how the wealthy gave to God’s work. Mark 12:41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. Many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” Luke 18:18 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” 21 He said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 23 When he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. 24 When Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Christians don’t like sacrificing their wealth for the sake of the gospel. They hold onto it and give a token. While poor Christians give more by giving out of their poverty to help those in need, believing others are worse off than themselves. Jesus also told the people they were to love their neighbor as themselves. Matthew 22:34 When the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 The second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ When Paul saw how the Corinthians gave with joy to help other saints out of their poverty, he commended them for they gave to God first, and then to those in need. When you give to God first, you will always have enough to help others. Even when your bank balance shows otherwise. We are in the best season of the year, the season of hope and joy. Store shelves are filled to capacity with gift ideas for your friends and loved ones. What are you doing to help those in need this Christmas season? Are you helping because you can? Or are you helping because you have the joy of the Lord all over you? It isn’t how much you give, but what you give. Will Jesus commend you as Paul commended the Corinthian church? Let’s pray: Father, You alone know my heart when it comes to giving to Your people in need. If I need to change my heart, change it, Lord. I want to know Your blessing on my life and the joy of helping those in need. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 23 November 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux Happy Thanksgiving to all of You. May you truly know God’s blessings today. The image belongs to me.