Bible Study & Devotional Day 250
Guiding Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:2, For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.
Ready to Give
Written by Reason A. Chandler
Ready- easily available or obtained; within reach.
Within the ministry context, our relationships require each of us to be ready. In this text, Paul speaks of people who were prepared to give. They were so inclined that their giving was enthusiastic to the point it influenced others to action. We often think we don’t do enough when preparing to obey God’s call to action. We spend too much energy convincing others to do what God calls us to do.
Our enthusiasm becomes infectious when we focus on posturing ourselves in obedience and maintain that posture with gratitude. Others are then directly affected by the cheerfulness of our giving. It is a beautiful transition always to position ourselves to behave in a manner of obedience.
Scripture reminds us that the joy of the Lord is our strength, and God loves a Cheerful giver.
So then, our focus is not on what to say to convince others to be the same. We must be vessels of God by which His influence flows through how we share and compels others to give.
As a member of the United Methodist Church, I agree and covenant to support the church’s ministry with our Time, Talent, Tithe, and Witness. To be dedicated to this behavior requires us to spend time praying, studying scripture, and fasting so the Holy Spirit will always lead us.
The next time you think you are not doing enough, stop and self-evaluate to be sure you are in the correct position and adjust accordingly. Then observe your surroundings watching for those directly affected by your obedience to the call of God in your life to be a cheerful giver.
The Bible In A Year Daily Reading Plan
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Song of Solomon 5:1-8:14
, 2 Corinthians 9:1-15, Psalm 51:1-19, Proverbs 22:24-25
Reason A. Chandler, SR is a pastor serving within the United Methodist Virginia Conference. As the senior Pastor of Jackson Street United Methodist Church (JSUMC) in Lynchburg, Virginia, he has inspired the community to push beyond the limits. The last seven years at JSUMC laid the foundation to move worship into a digital space. The pandemic provided an opportunity to grow and expand the ministry virtually, with Sunday service available on YouTube. Connect with Reason via Facebook.
