2 Corinthians 8:3–4: For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
It would be more accurate to translate this: “Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the grace”—that gift they had taken up was a grace, and it was fellowship, which means it was a sharing of the things of Christ. You and I cannot realize the love that they had one for another. We talk about social action in the church today; I must confess that we have almost lost sight of it in our fundamental churches. It is a wonderful thing to give to the missions, but must we neglect folk in our own congregations who are in need? Many of them don’t even want their needs to be known in the local congregation because they know it would become a subject of gossip in the church. We have lost today this wonderful grace of giving. 1
Personal Application
- Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10. What should increase more and more in our lives?
Godly Encouragement
- Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. –Philippians 2:3
A Biblical Thought to Share with Others
You say I love you, but do you love when it’s inconvenient & sacrificial? – TWEET IT
A Prayer to Consider
Lord, thank You that Your love never ceases and is never based on my performance.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (2 Corinthians) (electronic ed., Vol. 45). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
