Self-Protection

Self-Protection

2 Corinthians 8: Our friends, we want you to know what God's grace has accomplished in the churches in Macedonia. ² They have been severely tested by the troubles they went through; but their joy was so great that they were extremely generous in their giving, even though they are very poor. ³ I can assure you that they gave as much as they could, and even more than they could. Of their own free will ⁴ they begged us and pleaded for the privilege of having a part in helping God's people in Judea.

 

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Getting off the train, I proceeded on the shortest route to work. I was met with a number of people asking for money. I reached in my pocket and gave what I could, but I needed to eat lunch so I held some back. This went on for a few days. I figured out a solution. I would take a longer route to avoid the usual people asking for money.

 

• I was concerned about “my” money.
• I was concerned about “my” body being fed.
• I was concerned about “my” time, resources and safety.

 

Paul is amazed at the generosity of a group of people in a certain area. Though they were poor, they were generous. Their generosity could not be stopped by their troubles. In fact, they gave more during their troubles, showing their joy.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to see beyond my troubles and be joyous.
• GOD wants me to participate in helping HIS people.
• GOD wants me to see that helping those who speak about CHRIST is a privilege.

 

Looking at situations from a financial perspective seems hopeless at times. I mean, it sometimes feels like the amounts I have or are getting are never quite enough. This makes me want to protect a little by stashing some away for “myself.”  Or “my” family. BUT GOD sees something different.

 

HE sees when I use self-protection as an excuse to not serve those who HE desperately wants me to serve. HE understands when I am blinded, but would prefer that I seek the privilege of serving to being people to CHRIST. I am grateful for those who have been generous to me to help me serve GOD’s people.

 

Challenge

• How does the writer feel about the givers in this passage?
• What do you notice about those who gave during their troubles?
• Have you ever just wanted a moment of peace so you protected yourself from giving your time, talent or treasures?
• Will you seek the privilege of serving GOD’s people in spite of your circumstances today?

Intentional

 

Intentional

1 Corinthians 16: Now, concerning what you wrote about the money to be raised to help God's people in Judea. You must do what I told the churches in Galatia to do. ² Every Sunday each of you must put aside some money, in proportion to what you have earned, and save it up, so that there will be no need to collect money when I come. ³ After I come, I shall give letters of introduction to those you have approved, and send them to take your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ If it seems worthwhile for me to go, then they can go along with me.

 

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Driving in a certain area of this city, I noticed the restaurants, stores and services. I noted what I saw so I could come back one day. But when I served a homeless shelter, the van driver drove the same street pointing out homeless people. I did not notice them! The longer we rode around the more embarrassed I was because they were right in front of my face and I did not see them.

 

• The homeless were invisible to me.
• The homeless were unseen because I was thinking of my own problems.
• The homeless were not even a thought during my normal day to day escapades.

 

Paul addresses what to do with the money they raised for those in need. They must have had a desire to give and wanted to know how. Paul gave a guideline to be intentional and set aside some money to give to those in need. He also challenged them to “go” and see those in need.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to be intentional about giving to those in need.
• GOD wants me to also go and help those in need.
• GOD wants me to be checked out by others to ensure I am serving with the right motive.

 

Serving the needy is important to GOD. I mean, there are enough evil people who rob, steal and kill. GOD sees that too. BUT HE sends people to comfort those in need. There are many who need and people cannot see.

 

Some may appear rich but are in need. Others may just be barely hanging on but appear as if everything is alight. GOD wants me to be intentional in seeking those in need so my service will be to HIM. I am glad people saw me when I was in need and equally glad to serve those HE shows me.

 

Challenge

• Do you see the desire to give form this group?
• What ways can you be more intentional in your giving?
• Is there something you could postpone so you can give to those in need?
• Are you in need and barely hanging on?

 

Dear LORD, this is a special prayer for those in need. Please provide today. amen

Gift Back

 

Gift Back

Acts 21: ²⁶ The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.

 

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After watching over me, and clearing my path, I was appreciative of him.  He became the CEO, so I couldn’t buy a gift that he didn’t already have. What should I give him? I called and offered myself as service to him and said thank you.

 

• There have been many people in my life who I cannot repay.
• There have been many people in my life who have done so much for me that I lost count.
• There have been many people in my life who have done more than I could ever imagine for me.

 

Paul and the men performed the ritual of purification and the offering atoning for sin. Paul followed the law, but knew that atonement for sin was through JESUS. Paul sacrificed his freedom of not needing to ever sacrifice an animal so he could show others the law was still important.

 

• GOD wants me to give my life back to HIM.
• GOD wants me to recognize what HE did through JESUS.
• GOD wants me to see, HE is the one who deserves all the gifts.

 

What do I give JESUS who died for me? I mean, HE owns everything and knows everything and is everywhere? GOD says “Simply believe in JESUS as the one and only Savior.” Is belief enough? YES. That’s all that is required. BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT makes me want to do more.

 

HE leads me to want more of JESUS every day. HE let’s me know that all my sins have been taken care of, and that avoiding sin does not make me clean. Any service or sin avoidance is only to say thank YOU to the one who has it all. I am grateful for what JESUS did for me.

 

• Is your heart full of worry that your relationship with JESUS is not what it should be?
• Do you think you should give more or work harder for the gift of salvation?
• Will you stop trying to work hard to manipulate GOD so you can see HE did everything just for you today?

Give Anyway

Psalm 50: ⁸ I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices
    or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
⁹ I have no need of a bull from your stall
    or of goats from your pens,
¹⁰ for every animal of the forest is mine,
    and the cattle on a thousand hills.
¹¹ I know every bird in the mountains,
    and the insects in the fields are mine.
¹² If I were hungry I would not tell you,
    for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
¹³ Do I eat the flesh of bulls
    or drink the blood of goats?

¹⁴ “Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
    fulfill your vows to the Most High,
¹⁵ and call on me in the day of trouble;
    I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

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As debts mounted I decided to go to church. I had nowhere to turn so I decided to go to a place I had not been in a while. Announcement after announcement distracted me for a moment. I had forgotten they did that in church. The offering plate was then passed and I had forgotten that too. It was like I was in a daze. “Should I give $1?” I thought to myself. To my dismay all I had in my wallet was a $5 bill. “I wonder if I should give it up” I thought.

• Sometimes I think all my riches are my riches.
• Sometimes I think my bank account is a testament to how much GOD loves me.
• Sometimes I think the accumulation of stuff is a blessing and having bills is a curse from GOD.

A small still voice said “Give what you have” and I unclenched my fist and gave. This was a sacrifice because I did not have any food and I was not going to get paid until the next day. I have no idea what the sermon was about that day. As the congregation was dismissed I got up and walked towards the exit in the cattle like crowd. Someone said, “Aren’t you staying for the meal?” I was amazed!

• GOD owns everything so HE knows my financial situation.
• GOD owns everything so HE knows my worries.
• GOD owns everything so HE does not need my giving but wants me to release all to HIM.

It’s amazing that the verse says “Sacrifice” before “Call on ME.” I would think this would be the other way around. BUT GOD says “I want your entire life not just a little of it.” HE knows my thoughts, HE knows my sins, yet HE loves me and wants me to have faith in HIM.

• Are you in debt?
• Are bills climbing higher and higher?
• Can you believe GOD knows this and loves you in the middle of your fear?
• Will you give to HIM what HE tells you to give soon?