FBC Daily Devotions

Read 2Corinthians 9:10-15.

Generosity. It results in thankful hearts. From today’s passage, it is God who enables us to be generous in the first place. Verse 11 says that God will make us rich in every way. For what purpose (v. 11)?

This passage just oozes with thanksgiving and generosity, doesn’t it? There is thanks for the indescribable, surpassing grace of God (v. 14-15). There is thanks for their generosity (v. 11, 12, 13). There is praise for their service (v. 13). In all, thanks and praise are mentioned four times in this passage. Generosity is mentioned three times.

But there is one very subtle statement in the passage that is almost taken for granted – “Because of the service… the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ.” (v. 13) All of their generous giving is said to be service out of obedience. Have you ever considered that service and obedience are forms of generosity?

Sometimes we think obedience is more about doing what we don’t really want to do. When I was told as a child to obey my parents, it was usually because at the time I wasn’t! But obediently serving others is really an act of generosity that has its origins in the generosity of God. If I’m reading this correctly, God’s deep riches are meant to be generously given to others. The next time an opportunity comes up for you to serve others, don’t think of obedience as merely doing what is right, but think of it as being “generous” with what God has blessed you with.

To Consider
How has God generously blessed you? What are ways you can generously serve others out of the blessings God has given you? (Try to think beyond financial.) Consider as you enter a new day how God is giving you opportunity to serve out of a generous heart.