Stewarding God's Kingdom نموونە

The Privilege of Giving to Help Others

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by Jesus’ great sacrifice. When we know God’s abundant love for us, our hearts are moved. But we have the ability to stir God’s heart as well. He delights in our small acts of taking care of each other.  

After Pentecost, the church saw tremendous growth; however, this caused physical hardship for the Christians in Jerusalem. They were ostracized by Jewish society for following Jesus. It didn’t help that the country was experiencing a famine. Jerusalem’s growing church shared what little it had with one another. And Paul, having seen their hardship, was zealous to encourage the wider Christian body to support them.

The Macedonian Christians who, having experienced such great joy in knowing the Lord, pleaded for the opportunity to give support to the poor in Jerusalem, despite their own extreme poverty. Far from being in a position to give comfortably, they gave at great cost to themselves.

How greatly do you think this pleased God, to see His children giving sacrificially for one another?

Every act, big or small, matters. 

Reflection

Paul encouraged the Corinthians to do like the Macedonians, suggesting it will be a test of their sincerity. Perhaps this is a challenge each one of us can consider. Am I giving generously to support those who have so much less than myself? Would someone examining my giving versus my bank balance conclude that my faith is sincere? 

Prayer

Father, thank you that Jesus, though He was rich, for my sake became poor, so that through his poverty I might become rich, a true picture of your kingdom. Help me to grow in generosity towards those who have less than myself. Amen.