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
 

Good Grief

Reading:  2 Corinthians 7:10-16
    
    As Paul explains why he is comforted by the Corinthians’ reception of his hard letter, he distinguishes between different types of grief.  “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death”(2 Cor 7:10).  Both states are painful but Paul sees a difference based on what types of behaviors they produce.  “Worldly grief produces death” because while we may feel sad, we do not necessarily change or grow from our sadness.  “Worldly grief” speaks to patterns of behavior that hurt us but we never learn from.  

    Godly grief is different:  “For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment!  At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter”(2 Cor 7:11).   This style of sadness lights a fire under us.  We are suddenly determined not to duplicate our wrong (“fear”).  We are furious with ourselves (“indignation”) and passionate about living in a higher way (“zeal”).  In the case of the Corinthians, they have eagerly addressed the situation with a man living in sin among them despite the challenges the situation presents.  Not only has their response encouraged Paul, but it has also blessed Titus:  “his spirit has been refreshed by you all” and “his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling”(2 Cor 7:13, 15).  Watching brothers passionately do what is right transforms us.

    When Paul makes a distinction between worldly and godly grief, he is not discussing the emotion itself.  He is arguing that we have a choice in how we respond to things that make us sad or angry.  These emotions can be extremely powerful fuel for change.  If we humble ourselves and channel our emotions toward obedience, we can make wonderful, permanent, life-giving changes.

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One Thing to Think About:  When was the last time I experienced “godly grief”?

One Thing to Pray For:  Courage to move beyond pangs of sadness or concern toward real change
 

The Power of Hard Words

Reading:  2 Corinthians 7:1-9
    
    Paul keeps imploring the Corinthians to “make room in your hearts for us”(2 Cor 7:2).  His heart is on his sleeve:  “We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one…you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together”(2 Cor 7:2, 3).  There is no reason for them to reject Paul—he has been utterly sincere and only done them good—yet they are holding back their hearts.  As evidence of his openness, he again describes his emotions:  “great boldness…great pride…filled with comfort…overflowing with joy”(2 Cor 7:4).  This is not flattery; Paul is leading with his heart.

    He also details his anxiety over their reception of his “painful letter,” picking up his thought from 2 Cor 2:1-4, 12-13.  While awaiting Titus’ news of the Corinthians, “our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within.  But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus”(2 Cor 7:5-6).  Paul is wrestling with his deep concern:  will the Corinthians reject him, the will of God, and Christlike attitudes toward sin?  Yet he receives wonderful comfort from Titus’ arrival with the news that they have received his rebuke well (2 Cor 7:7).  “For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that the letter grieved you, though only for a while.  As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting”(2 Cor 7:8-9).  Despite all the grief it caused them and all the concern it caused him, Paul is thankful that his hard words made a difference.

    Sometimes we need rebuke, but hard words are hard to take.  They sting us.  We get defensive and lash out.  Or we attempt to discredit the speaker.  We may even cut off anyone who says things we don’t like.  This scene shows us the power of hard words to alert us to needed changes.  Others (especially our brothers and sisters in Christ) can see our blind spots and give us vital insight.  They love us enough to brave our displeasure and speak into our lives.  Hard words can transform us, but we must receive them.

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One Thing to Think About:  How do I typically react when others challenge me?

One Thing to Pray For:  Wisdom to know when and how to give hard words to others
 

Unequally Yoked

Reading:  2 Corinthians 6:11-18
    
    Paul’s concerns for the Corinthians boil over here as he addresses their willingness to be influenced by ungodly people.  “You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections”(2 Cor 6:12).  He longs for them to open their hearts to him as he has opened himself to them (v. 11, 12).  The Corinthians have embraced some agitators who discredit Paul and influence the group to ignore him.  Paul is not expressing hurt feelings; he is frustrated that the Corinthians’ relationships are hindering the gospel.

    Some things just don’t go together.  “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.  For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?  Or what fellowship has light with darkness?  What accord has Christ with Belial?  Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?  What agreement has the temple of God with idols?”(2 Cor 6:14-16).  God’s people, standards, worship, and work do not belong with Satan’s.  Christians who are involved in close relationships of influence with evil people are like unequally yoked animals.  An ox and a donkey can be linked together, but too much work will fall on one and the relationship will hurt.  Paul urges the Corinthians to cut off their connection to Paul’s opponents:  “Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you”(2 Cor 6:17).  

    When Christians are tied together in close relationships with unbelievers, they don’t match.  Their priorities, loves, behaviors, hopes, and concerns are not the same.   While we seek opportunities to bless unbelievers and lead them to Jesus, being “yoked” with them implies a connection with spiritual influence.  The answer to the problem is not to eliminate all worldly people from our lives, but to be honest and cautious about the influence others have over us.  

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One Thing to Think About:  Who am I allowing to influence me?

One Thing to Pray For:  Spiritual people to influence me toward Jesus
 

We Commend Ourselves in Every Way

Reading:  2 Corinthians 6:1-10
    
    Paul considers himself an ambassador for Christ (2 Cor 5:20) and a fellow-worker with God (2 Cor 6:1).  He urges the Corinthians to “be reconciled to God”(2 Cor 5:20) and “not to receive the grace of God in vain”(2 Cor 6:1).  In this section, he appeals to the great work God is doing through the apostles.  “But as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way:  by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger”(2 Cor 6:4).  Would a hypocrite or charlatan continue through such experiences?  Paul admits the weakness and difficulty of his ministry—and in doing so, commends the ministry.

     He goes further:  “by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left”(2 Cor 6:6-7).  These are the tools of the apostle.  His integrity, gentle spirit, and honest speech characterize him.  God is at work in him.  “through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise.  We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed”(2 Cor 6:8-9).  The mixed reaction Paul receives also confirms his sincerity as an apostle.  He does not only play for the crowds, yet a few show him honor and praise.  Generally the treatment is shabby, yet he presses on as he works for his God.

     Paul introduces us to a unique style of ministry.  It is lowly and despised, yet this is no mark of its effectiveness.  It is full of a quiet integrity, yet does not make a huge splash in the world.  Paul commends the apostles and their ministry because God works through imperfect, quiet, weak, despised people to make his glory shine even brighter.

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One Thing to Think About:  Why do we struggle valuing situations that show our weakness?

One Thing to Pray For:  God’s priorities (not man’s) to become my priorities