“June 19, 2024 - Give Yourself First”

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Give Yourself First

Reading:  2 Corinthians 8:1-7
    
    As Paul tries to motivate the Corinthians to give to support needy Jewish Christians (2 Cor 8:4), he employs an interesting tactic:  he brags about the Macedonians.  He mentions these churches (in the region north of Corinth) who “in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.  For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord”(2 Cor 8:2-3).  These Macedonian believers’ passion to give shines through despite them not having much to give.  This contribution will mean not only helping needy Christians, but also unifying believers since many of the Corinthians are Gentiles and the Jerusalem Christians are Jews.  Such a gift gives them “abundance of joy” and leaves them “begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints”(2 Cor 8:4).  They see the opportunity to give as a gift itself.

    This surprises Paul:  “and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us”(2 Cor 8:5).   Surely Paul expected only marginal contributions from such poor people, but he had not counted on their complete dedication.  Their contribution flows from a previous commitment: “they gave themselves first to the Lord.”  Now Paul wants the Corinthians to be inspired by the Macedonians’ example.  They have already begun to give (2 Cor 8:6, 1 Cor 16:1-4) and now they should “complete this act of grace”(2 Cor 8:6) and “excel in this act of grace also”(2 Cor 8:7).

      “They gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”  When we give ourselves first, it is a small thing to give some money, time, energy, or effort.  All that we are has already been sacrificed to Jesus.  Christian service is more than writing a check or fixing a problem; I am at the disposal of others.  So when others—like Paul—approach us with an opportunity to bless others, sacrifice of ourselves, and share, there is no decision to be made.  We’ve already given ourselves away.

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One Thing to Think About:  Do I ever resent others needing me?  How might Paul’s words help?

One Thing to Pray For:  Complete commitment to Jesus—and then to my brothers
 

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