Daily Devotional (GPS)
Joyful Giving Reflects Jesus's Self-Giving Love
Daily Scripture
2 Corinthians 8:1-15
1 Brothers and sisters, we want to let you know about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia. 2 While they were being tested by many problems, their extra amount of happiness and their extreme poverty resulted in a surplus of rich generosity. 3 I assure you that they gave what they could afford and even more than they could afford, and they did it voluntarily. 4 They urgently begged us for the privilege [or grace] of sharing in this service for the saints. 5 They even exceeded our expectations, because they gave themselves to the Lord first and to us, consistent with God’s will. 6 As a result, we challenged Titus to finish this work of grace with you the way he had started it.
7 Be the best in this work of grace in the same way that you are the best in everything, such as faith, speech, knowledge, total commitment, and the love we inspired in you. 8 I’m not giving an order, but by mentioning the commitment of others, I’m trying to prove the authenticity of your love also. 9 You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you could become rich through his poverty.
10 I’m giving you my opinion about this. It’s to your advantage to do this, since you not only started to do it last year but you wanted to do it too. 11 Now finish the job as well so that you finish it with as much enthusiasm as you started, given what you can afford. 12 A gift is appreciated because of what a person can afford, not because of what that person can’t afford, if it’s apparent that it’s done willingly. 13 It isn’t that we want others to have financial ease and you financial difficulties, but it’s a matter of equality. 14 At the present moment, your surplus can fill their deficit so that in the future their surplus can fill your deficit. In this way there is equality. 15 As it is written, The one who gathered more didn’t have too much, and the one who gathered less didn’t have too little [Exodus 16:18].
Daily Reflection & Prayer
DID YOU KNOW?
Tomorrow is “Commitment Sunday,” when all Resurrection members are invited to turn in our 2026 Ministry Fund Commitment forms at worship. But if you are traveling or otherwise need to miss worship, you can also make your 2026 Ministry Fund Commitment online by clicking here. Either way, make your commitment prayerfully, not casually, as an expression of your gratitude for God’s generosity to you in so many tangible and intangible ways.
Christians in Jerusalem faced severe poverty from persecution and likely drought. Paul invited Greek Christians to contribute to an offering for them (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, Romans 15:25-26). The “work of grace” he urged them to “be the best in”? Generous giving to fellow believers in crisis. He ultimately focused on Jesus, who gave us a transcendent model of self-giving to bless others. He reported that believers in other places found it a “privilege” to join in giving. He was confident the Corinthians would feel the same way.
- “Although the financial position of the Corinthians (at least some of them) appears to have been relatively more secure than that of the believers in Jerusalem…. according to some estimates, more than 90% of the general population of the Roman Empire lived at, near, or below subsistence level.” * Paul saw their relative security not as reason to hoard, but to share. Do you view generous giving as a privilege or a burden? What might shift your perspective? The Macedonians gave from “extreme poverty” yet experienced “extra happiness” (verse 2). Scholar William Barclay wrote that New Testament rewards are “not the wealth of things, but the wealth of the heart and the spirit.” ** When has being generous enriched your heart and spirit?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you gave yourself to change me for the better. I want that change to include counting it a privilege to join in giving for others, echoing your work of grace. Amen.
GPS Insights
Grace McCamy
Grace McCamy, who served as an intern on Resurrection’s Software and Data Management team last summer, wrote today's Insights. She is a senior at Arizona State University studying Computer Information Systems. She loves to bake and enjoy nature. When Grace is not doing one of those, you can find her surrounding herself with the people she loves.
As a senior in college, I have struggled with how to give back for the past 3 ½ years I’ve been in college. I don’t have a job during the school year, so I must save up over the summer for the entire next school year. This leaves me with not a lot to give back financially.
My favorite ways to give back are to volunteer my time. My time, I have discovered, is worth much, much more than my money is. I love to bake, so getting to participate in the bake sale at the local Methodist church on campus is one of my favorite things to do. While doing something as simple as baking doesn’t seem like much of a way to give back to God, it truly brings me closer to Him. Doing something that you enjoy and relaxes you is the perfect way to get closer to God. I have found that while I’m baking or giving my time, I think about how God is still using me to do the work needed here. I have heard Pastor Adam say many times that giving financially is not the only way to give, and it never really stuck with me until I felt I couldn’t give all that I wanted to give with my money.
Paul also reminds us in verse 8, “I’m not giving an order.” He wanted us to give what we can. Giving back should never stress you out, it should be something you do out of love and gratitude for God. That is why, when I’m back at home, I love to volunteer in KidsCor. I find this is one of the best ways to see the love you have given being reflected in the world. Being able to show kids who might not fully understand God that they are still loved for and cared for by Him is truly so special. I believe that the most important thing about giving back to God is keeping God in mind the whole time., knowing that what you are doing will help the children of God.
What is the GPS?
Resurrection offers a free tool for those who wish to read the Bible daily. Our Grow/Pray/Study guide (GPS) provides a Bible reading, Scripture reflections based on the passage, inspirational quotes from leading Bible scholars, questions to help readers apply the Bible to their faith journey, and a daily prayer guide at the end of each day’s reflection. Many readers have told us the GPS has strengthened their spiritual growth and helped them better understand how to let the Bible guide them in Christian living.
