September 2
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CALL TO GRACIOUS ACT OF GIVING
A poem by ILMA
Dear fellow believers, God in his kindness did through the Macedonian churches
They are all being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor
But they’re also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity
For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more.
And they did it of their own initiative and their free will
They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give
To share themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do
So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place
We encourage you to finish this ministry of giving
Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith
your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us
I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
It’s not a command, But I am testing how genuine your love is
And comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches
You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich,
For your sakes he became poor, so that by this, he could make you wealthy.
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MEMORY VERSE
You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. – 2 Corinthians 8:9
Read: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
In this letter of Paul to the Corinthians, he urges them to the act of gracious giving. It is amazing how he focuses on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who though he was rich, became poor so we can be rich.
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REFLECTION
• Why is giving a good act of showing that you are following Jesus?
• What have you generously given to someone that made you feel like you are following the footsteps of the Lord?