Have you ever asked yourself how much you REALLY love the LORD? There are certain things throughout the Word of God that reveal keys to really KNOW that! One of them is found in today's Bible Reading Plan in 2 Corinthians 8. Paul is writing here to the church in Corinth to encourage them to follow through on the gift they had promised to give to the churches in Jerusalem who were hurting because of severe persecution. Paul used the example set by the churches of Macedonia, who had given out of a place of need themselves to help another part of the Body of Christ! The Corinthians had promised a gift, but had not yet followed through. Look at verses 7-8:
7 Now as you abound and excel and are at the front in everything--in faith, in expressing yourselves, in knowledge, in all zeal, and in your love for us--[see to it that you come to the front now and] abound and excel in this gracious work [of almsgiving] also. 8 I give this not as an order [to dictate to you], but to prove, by [pointing out] the zeal of others, the sincerity of your [own] love also.
His exhortation continued in verses 10-11:
10 [It is then] my counsel and my opinion in this matter that I give [you when I say]: It is profitable and fitting for you [now to complete the enterprise] which more than a year ago you not only began, but were the first to wish to do anything [about contributions for the relief of the saints at Jerusalem]. 11 So now finish doing it, that your [enthusiastic] readiness in desiring it may be equalled by your completion of it according to your ability and means.
Just how does any of this reveal our love level? Look at verse 9:
9 For you are becoming progressively acquainted with and recognizing more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (His kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favor and spiritual blessing), [in] that though He was [so very] rich, yet for your sakes He became [so very] poor, in order that by His poverty you might become enriched (abundantly supplied).
Jesus gave all that He had for us! What are we willing to give, in His Name? Look again at John 3:16:
16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. AMP
"For God so greatly loved that He GAVE...."! Love, true Godly love, will GIVE! We give in all manner of areas: time, energy, resources, prayer, encouragement, love, and whatever else may be needed! Realize that NO ONE is telling you where, what and how much to give! Just GIVE! In all things be led by the Spirit of God and you will be putting yourself in position to RECEIVE when the result of your giving appears! What is that? Look at Luke 6:38:
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. KJV
You and I CANNOT out-give God! do this NOT as a financial transaction, but as a love transaction! HE so loved that He gave and WE are recreated in His image! It is in our new nature to give! Deep inside of YOU is a great giver just waiting to be released! GO FOR IT! You will never be the same! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Beautiful Exchange", which reveals the awesome extent of HIS giving to us!
Shalom in Him!
