Ordinary Time

Pause

The root of generosity, as in most matters of faith, is trust.

Do I trust that there is enough to share?

Enough for me and for you and for all of us?

Do I trust in God's abundance?

Listen

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.

2 Corinthians 8:12

Think

As a teacher, Jesus was always trying to get his followers to move past the letter of the law and get to the heart of the matter. We see this in the way Jesus taught about the sabbath, for example: sabbath isn’t about following all the rules but instead about God’s life-giving rest for all creation. For Jesus, faith is about matching up what’s going on in our hearts with our actions. In Paul’s language, it’s the Spirit that gives life, not the letter (2 Corinthians 3:6).

In today’s scripture, Paul encourages the church in Corinth to make good on their commitment to give an offering. He says that generosity is not about the amount that you give. “Just do what you can do, not what you can’t. What’s most important is the spirit behind the gift.”

Whether you have much to give today, or only very little, it’s enough. It’s your willingness to offer your gifts to God, to the church, and to the world that counts.

Meredith Forssman

Pray

O God, some days I feel like my measly offering will never make a difference. Sometimes I think that no one would notice if I held back my talents and gifts. They seem so small in comparison to others. Free me from this worry to give willingly, generously, joyfully. Amen.

Go

Go out and share with your heart.

Don’t share because you feel pressured. Don’t share with hesitation.

Share with cheerfulness and with love.

For you can trust in this: “God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace. That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work.”

based on 2 Corinthians 9:7-8