2 Corinthians 8: Grace and Giving

Grace and Giving

In verse 7 Paul goes back on the sarcastic correction angle by reminding the Corinthian Christians, who have not excelled in faith, speech, knowledge and earnestness, that they should excel in in being gracious/giving grace to others. This could also have been Paul's way of saying "well if you say you have been excelling in these areas then I will take your word for it. If you excel in grace then you are following the example of Christ. Christ was very gracious unless someone was misusing the house of the Lord and twisting the word of God. That is when Christ was known to do more than just speak out. 
 

In the next section (2 Corinthians 8:8-14) Paul deals with the topic of giving. While the Old Testament had a standard of 10% (tithe) we see in the New Testament examples of giving what you have available to give. Dave Guzik's commentary focuses on the idea of 10% being more of an expectation and being seen like a tax rather than a giving from the heart. This is where grace can abound in giving. We give graciously and not from rule or regulation but from the heart.When we go to church is out of obligation or because we want to? When we give to the church is out of what we can or is it just what we want to give? Heart check! It matters.

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1 Corinthians 10: Temptation and Idolatry

Temptation and Idolatry

Paul wanted to warn the Corinthian Christians against idolatry. He is still on the point of eating food that has been offered to idols. Paul saw that as a temptation and idol worship. Of course it is. If you eat something offered to a god and not God, that is idolatry. The temptation comes from that when the desire is to do that which God would not honor. As natural as you may feel it is, which it may very well be, giving into that is still temptation.We must remember 1 Corinthians 10:13 as rely on that to pull away when we are tempted.

1 Corinthians 10:21 shows us that Paul was trying to keep people from having a dual partnership with demons and with God. You cannot drink from a cup or eat of food offered to demons and still be on God's side. that would not honor God. As much as people might have said "Paul leave us alone, it is not hurting anybody", they would have been sadly mistaken. I hear many people in these days say that certain things are natural or no big deal and "mind your own business", but being that Paul built that church and believers were getting it wrong, he had to say something.

Lastly, 1 Corinthians 10:23 has been used out of context numerous times. I have heard it used to validate someone's sinful behavior while only quoting the "all things are lawful" part while completely ignoring the context of the chapter and of this letter to the Corinthians. It wasn't about "how bad is it" it is about "how good is it." Paul points out "not all things build up" which means not all things that are allowable as your own personal rights as humans are able to build you up as Christians. Our rights under Christ are what matters most.

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Mark 12:44- The Widow's Offering

The Widow's Offering

At first read of Mark 12:41-44, I was thinking that the message was pretty simple, but upon reading it again and thinking about it, I see something else. Capital F type of Faith and Capital O type of Obedience.

I see her full dependence on God. Obviously, being a widow, she was not married, so she could not be depending on a husband to bring in more money. But, when you give your last as an offering that is full obedience and dedication. You are not saying "God you can't have this because I need this" you are saying "God take this as I give you my full trust."

I also see capital H, Humility. All the other people who were giving out of their abundance, meaning they could have given more. She gave her last.

It makes me think of the things that we hang on to  and do not want to let God be in charge of. Is it our money or our relationships? Maybe it is a job that we know we is not spiritually healthy for us and we let it  affect us because the money is good or good enough.

When will we stop hanging on to what we want and start giving it to God and seeking what He wants from us? The time is now.

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