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

I’m giving you my opinion about this. It’s to your advantage to do this, since you not only started to do it last year but you wanted to do it too. Now finish the job as well so that you finish it with as much enthusiasm as you started, given what you can afford.

2 Corinthians 8:10-11

Think

Paul is fundraising. He’s asking the church at Corinth to support a relief project for poor Christians. In this passage, Paul indicates that the Corinthians started out strong in their giving, but — if we’re reading between the lines — it seems like they’ve slacked a bit. Maybe their enthusiasm had started to wane. In any case, Paul writes to encourage them: “You started to give last year, and you were excited about it! Finish the job with that same enthusiasm!”

It can be hard to finish what we start. We might feel moved to give to a worthy cause, only to realize that the gift is going to really make our budgets too tight. Or we may just get bored putting an offering into the plate each week. This doesn’t only apply to our gifts of money, but to sharing our time and talents too. Sometimes it seems easier to back out.

But we live in a world that needs your gifts! Remember your excitement. Remember your enthusiasm. Keep those alive. Keep your commitment.

Meredith Forssman

Pray

God, there are so many worthy causes out there that I would like to get involved in — through volunteering my time or through financial support. Help me to discern where to commit, and help me to be faithful to my commitments. And when I grow weary in giving, send me encouragers who remind me why I feel called to this opportunity. 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