via TJC
2 Corinthians 8:1-15 NLT
I was blessed to grow up in a very generous family. The truth though is that what was modeled didn't really stick in my own life. It was very common in my childhood home for me to get kicked out of my bedroom for some traveling missionary to stay in my bed and for our refrigerator to be covered with pictures of people and ministries that my parents supported financially. While it was fun to have people from other countries visit and share their stories (and even cook some cool exotic meals for us), I didn't really like money that could have been spent on more stuff for me going to these people instead.
Like so many of us men who have the benefit of living in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, I became very self centered about “my” money. God has a sense of humor though, and as He got hold of me and brought me into closer relationship with Him, he put me in multiple situations where I had to rely on the generosity of others. More than once I had to be bailed out by friends or family when financial struggle came, jobs ended, or businesses I owned struggled. It also included leading me to work for more than one ministry organization where I had to raise funds to support myself and my family. It was not, and still often is not, comfortable to do this. The most important thing it did for me personally though was to get me to examine my own generosity.
In this letter from Paul to the church in Corinth the Apostle makes an appeal and an argument for generosity. He shares the story of how one group of believers (who were described as being poor) found joy in providing the resources needed for his ministry to the Corinthians, and challenged them to do the same. In other places he commends believers for helping with the financial needs of other Christians who are struggling financially.
Daily Battle Order:
We are finished with a day of Thanksgiving (and likely some fairly gluttonous eating) we faced a barrage of Black Friday appeals to spend money on more stuff and now our inboxes are crammed full of Giving Tuesday messages. In the middle of all this take a few minutes today to read 2 Corinthians chapter 8 (link at the top) and consider Paul's challenge to this group of messy Christians. How might you need to reconsider your generosity to others before you head to Amazon or Walmart today or even make a giving decision today.
With some boldness I want to ask you to consider the Joshua Commission (who I do not work for but who I do support with time and money) as you make your giving decisions. If these Battle orders are part of how God is speaking to you and challenging you in your relationship to Him, think about giving financially. 20-25 of these battle orders go out a month so maybe consider giving $1-2 for each per month (if you aren't a math guy I'm asking for $25-50 per month). I promise it will be a better Kingdom investment than whatever sale is still going on today.
Give here : https://www.joshuacommission.org/plans-pricing
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