A Refreshing Change
Generosity Encouraged
1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.
6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
Tommy's Thoughts:It’s the time of the year where I start shopping for Christmas gifts for friends and family. Every year was roughly the same kind of gifts: books, chocolates, candles, music CDs, shoes, etc. Sometime I felt really bored and tired about this whole gift exchange exercise. I have pile of candles and Christmas decorative in my storage box that I have never use before; worst still, there are some I haven’t even unwrap. I figured it is the same with my gifts at my friend’s place.
Sometimes, I wondered why we give something knowing others might not need them while withholding other things like time, attention and helps to those who really need them. There are times also, we give grudgingly or only when expecting something in return. When we look at Jesus, the ultimate Gift from God to us, we’ll see the Giving as a response of a genuine love God have for us.
We don’t have to look far, just take some time and look around us; they might be someone at our workplace, church or at home that need our attention and helps. Like the Macedonian churches, we need to give ourselves first to God. Then, through God’s grace and faith in His gifts to us; we give to those people with a sincere, generous, willing, eager and cheerful heart. And this giving provides us a way to thank God for His gift of salvation for all of us.
Bee's Thoughts:
As Christians, we are encouraged to give ourselves to God first, then to others generously acccording to God's will. We shouldn't be complacent just to know that we are already doing well in other areas of our life. Giving seems to be the best test of our faith, for "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (James 2:17). Jesus is the best example of love and giving... though He was rich, he became poor because He loves us.
One of the song we are practising for the coming Christmas choir is "A Gift", in Mandarin. This is my old favorite because it talks about giving a gift to someone... very appropriate for the Christmas season. It says that you can't force a person to accept your gift, no matter how good your gift is, if that person doesn't want to accept it.
Therefore, even though we know how good Jesus is in our own life, we can't force anyone to accept Him... our only hope and prayer is others would "Taste and see that the LORD is good" (Psalm 34:8)
My English translation of the lyric (for the benefit of those who can't read Chinese):
A GIFT
Verse 1:
There is a gift... have you received it?
Your eyes can't see it but your heart feels it,
This gift is awaiting at your heart's door,
Specially addressed to you, and others can't take it.
Chrous:
There's a limit to life,
Time will also pass away,
If you don't treasure them,
Opportunity will slip by.
Though the gift is good,
But if you don't want it,
How could you ever receive? (2x)
Verse 2:
My dear friend, have you ever thought that
The child in the manger came because of you?
My dear firend, will you ever understand that
The best gift is Jesus Christ, the Lord?
Thank You, Lord, for Your 'Gift'. It's so beautiful and I treasure it. I pray that others will also come to recieve this special Gift this Christmas season. Let me learn to give generously just like You have given Yourself to me. Amen.
.......the devotion of Bee and Tommy
