From: August 25, 2024
“On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:2 ESV).
Ironically, the church in Corinth, one of the most wealthy among the 1st Century churches, was the one that Paul had to do the most teaching on generosity. In the poorer churches, like the churches in Macedonia, it seemed giving came easily. They gave with such generosity that Paul was astounded, because they gave “beyond their ability” (2 Cor. 8:3) and this, with great joy and willingness. Yet, even in Paul’s second letter to the well-to-do believers in Corinth, it is obvious that they still weren’t living with generosity.
Notice Paul’s helpful instruction on giving, he taught them…
1) When to give: Every “first day,” or Sunday.
2) Who should give: “Each of you.”
3) How much to give: “As he may prosper,” in other words, according to one’s earnings.
Corinth was wealthy in every way except in generosity. They abounded in “everything–– in faith, in speech, in knowledge” (2 Cor. 8:7), yet Paul would have them abound in the grace of giving.
America is like Corinth. Wealthy in every way. Yet materialism and greed infect the souls of its people. What is the antidote? Generosity is the antidote for greed. May the Lord cause us to abound in the grace of giving.
PRAYER: Dear Father, You loved us so much that You gave Your only Son. How can we withhold anything from You? Teach us to be generous in every way. May we become like You in excelling in the grace of giving. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: August 25, 2023
“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!” (Job 19:25-26 NLT).
Long before Christ came to redeem us from our sin, Job already looked for such a “Redeemer.” Job placed his hope in Messiah as one peering through a veil. For the Book of Job is one of the oldest in the Bible. Yet, he knew not only that his Redeemer lived and would come to the earth, he also knew that he himself would be resurrected one day to meet Him.
Job believed without the full revelation of the New Testament. Yet we have the Gospel of Jesus Christ shining as in the light of day. If Job could “know” that his Redeemer lives, then we can know all the more! If Job knew that someday he would be resurrected to stand before God, then we can have even more confidence.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that you sent Jesus to be our Redeemer. He died for our sins, was buried, and was raised for our justification, so we can be Your children. We thank You that we can know these things with confidence. Help us this day to stand and bear witness to our Redeemer. For our Redeemer lives! In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: August 25, 2022
WHERE ARE WIDE-OPEN DOORS FOR THE GOSPEL TODAY?
From this passage it appears that Paul was living in Ephesus when he wrote his first letter to the Corinthians. Ephesus was one of the great cities in the Roman empire located on the Aegean coast of Asia Minor in the country we now know as Turkey. Paul stayed in Ephesus for at least three years and found the city to be a “wide-open door” for the gospel, not only for its citizens, but also as a hub of ministry in reaching those in the surrounding cities.
Yet, wherever there are people coming to Christ and getting saved, there is also increased activity inspired by our chief adversary, Satan. So, Paul planned to stay in Ephesus as long as the gospel door was open, knowing that such doors do not stay open forever. There is an urgency to such opportunities that Paul recognized. Are we looking for such wide-open door opportunities in our world today?
PRAYER: Dear Father, strengthen us to faithfully minister wherever You have opened a door of ministry. Teach us to listen and look for where You are already at work and join You there. For we are ineffective without You. Lord, open doors of effective ministry in our city. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: August 25, 2016
The apostle Paul closed his epistle to the Corinthians with five instructions for men that are more than applicable today.
1) “Be watchful.” – Be vigilant, stay awake, stand guard. You are built to be a protector. Protect your families, churches, and neighborhoods.
2) “Stand firm in the faith.” – Persevere and grow in faith. Know and stand fast in the Word. Be spiritual leaders who never give up.
3) “Act like men.” – This is a call to biblical masculinity. Grow up. Stop acting like little boys still playing with their toys. Real men are like trucks. They run better when carrying a load. Take responsibility. Work. Sacrifice. Endure pain without complaint. Serve.
4) “Be strong” – Grow strong. Exercise your body and mind to be strengthened for defense of your family and faith. Be courageous. Gain mastery over your appetites and desires, so that you have self-control.
5) “Love” – Let love be the motive for all action. This is “agape” love, which is sacrificial and unconditional. Be full of passion and fire for God and for others. Answer the call to be a man of God with great passion and enthusiasm. Put away passivity. Love!
From: August 25, 2015
From verse 8 it appears that Paul was living in Ephesus when he wrote his first letter to the Corinthians. Ephesus was one of the great cities in the Roman empire located on the Mediterranean coast of Asia Minor in the country we now know as Turkey. Paul stayed in Ephesus for an extended period of time and found the city to be an “open door” for the gospel, not only for its citizens, but also as a hub of ministry in reaching those in the surrounding cities. Yet, wherever there are people coming to Christ and getting saved, there is also increased activity by the Adversary, the devil. So, Paul planned to “tarry” in Ephesus as long as the gospel door was open, knowing that such “doors” do not stay open forever. There is an urgency to such opportunities that Paul recognized. Are we looking for such open door opportunities in our world today?