June 21: 2 Corinthians 9:6-9
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:7
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Devotion:
Some of the expenses we face in life do seem to be unfair on the surface until you look into what those expenses go toward. Some of them seem like bargains until you dig a bit deeper to find out they fall short of the mark. There are always going to be people who try to get as much money as possible from you whilst doing a little as possible and others who do all they can for you and don’t seem to charge enough...
But as these words here remind us, it is not the how much or how often which matters but the sentiment behind the giving. God does not look at the bottom line and compare that with what He gives you in life; He looks at your heart and sees how much you are willing to give without complaint!
Whenever I read this part of scripture I am also reminded of the time when Jesus talked about giving what was due to Caesar and what was due to God. We should not mix these two up because the earthly laws and taxes do not have anything to do with what you give to God. Yes we do have to pay to maintain church buildings and meeting places, the supply of amenities, insurance and things like that, but they are necessary expenses for the world we live in. What you do and give to support others in the name of Christ is quite different.
We are fortunate enough to be able to run a ‘top-up shop’ in our church building which enables people to get the essentials for little or no cost so they can survive in this mixed-up financial crisis many are in. The people who run the shop give freely of their time and money to come and make sure others are catered for in the name of Christ. It’s not about the amount but about the love behind what we are doing!
Points to Ponder:
Do you keep strict records of what you give?
Are you willing to give what it takes?
June 20: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:8
I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.
Devotion:
Do you ever wonder why people think of you the way they do? Have you ever asked yourself why someone thinks ill or good of you? It’s because people compare what you say and do with what others say and do! Each of us are prone to think differently of others than the person next to you because of our life differences and experiences; the more you get to experience life with others the more you get to know about people.
This can go well for someone who is introduced to another person who has only ever been exposed to good people because the other person may well think all people are alike and good. This can also go the wrong way for anyone being introduced to someone who has always been around bad people – their first assumption may well be everyone is bad including you!
When we get introduced to Christ and can see there is a very different way of life which is available to all, we should be more than willing to go out there and share the good news with everyone to allow them to see there is this good way of living! This is what happened to the apostle when he went to Macedonia where they embraced the gospel and immediately wanted to share it with everyone!
Don’t be confined by what you think you know of the world. Don’t be limited by what you can think of or by what you have experienced. Read your bible and see how much there is out there in the world and go and experience it yourself with God!
Points to Ponder:
Are you biased by you own life?
Will you embrace the gospel way?
June 19: Matthew 5:38-42
Key Verse: Matthew 5:39
But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
Devotion:
I have heard many people say the bible teaches you to allow others to run all over you – but that is not what these verses are actually saying. First off, I’m pretty sure it does not talk about encouraging other to have their way with you whether you are a Christian or not! If we look at the verses surrounding these it is all about how we should act toward others and not how we should give in to others all the time!
The world will teach you it is OK to retaliate when someone does something against you – again not what these verses are tell you. What we have, I’m sure, is an account of how we should act when people do have grievances against us or do things against us because they believe we deserve it…
God does not want us to react against others because they do something we don’t like. He does not teach us to hit someone because they hit you first. What He does teach us is to love our neighbours no matter what. Jesus went to the cross even while we were sinners working against Him. He did this to show us true love. When people did things against Him, He did not over-react or work to pay them back. He worked to show them real love and mercy.
If people do things against us, then we should be willing to try and show them the love of Christ, which may well involve turning the other cheek or giving them more than they demand; not giving them the right to do whatever they like to you! Jesus was always fair and just trying always to give people the truth. In the end He did give in and go to the cross to die, not because He wanted them to do whatever they liked, but to fulfil the scriptures and to pay for our sin debt.
Points to Ponder:
Do you stand up for yourself as a Christian?
Will you stand up for justice and share Christ’s love?
June 18: Matthew 10:1-8
Key Verse: Matthew 10:5
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
Devotion:
Have you ever wondered why Jesus told the disciples to not go out to the Gentiles or Samaritans but rather to stay with the Jews? Do you think it was to only look out for His chosen race, or maybe there was something more to it? I don’t believe it was simply to make sure the Jews came first because they were the chosen race; I think it was more to build up a foundation for Christianity!
We can see how God chose Paul and other people to be missionaries going out into the rest of the world to spread the Gospel, so it can’t simply be to make sure the Jews came first. But, equally, the spreading of the Gospel has to have a starting point, one which has a sure foundation and many people to call on for support. I believe Jesus wanted a sure foundation of people who would always pray for support and train up more people who would go out into the world.
If we want to be able to send out missionaries to go and spread God’s Word, then we have to have a place they can call home where they will always get the support they need when they need it. Yes God is always going to be with them wherever they go, but having people who can send aid for earthly needs when needed is going to make sure the missionaries will be able to survive when the going gets tough!
We need to focus on the here and now to build up a core of people who are willing to pray and build up the local community so the outreach can be greater and more sustained. God wanted the disciples to see this and this is why people like Paul were able to go to all the countries knowing someone was watching their backs...
Points to Ponder:
Do you think God is calling you to do something?
Do you have people who are willing to pray and support your efforts?