Thursday’s Focus: Cheerful Giving

This is will not be a popular post, Jesus tells us to be givers and kind—loving and charitable—let go of the worldly things.

Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. (BBE)

In Acts 20:35 Paul is not quoting any particular passage in the Gospel that we can find, so I will not speculate. There are references that convey the message and I will leave it at that; most references point you to Matthew 10:8.

Acts 20:35 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (WEB)

Luke 14:12-14 Then he said to his host, When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers, your kinsmen, or your rich neighbours; lest they invite you in return, and you are repaid. 13 But when you have a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And you shall be blessed; for they cannot repay you: but you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just. (RKJNT)

The cheerful giver

I have considered writing on this for a long time and will use it as our challenge for this study. Please read 2 Corinthians 7:13 through 9:15 and share your understanding of what is said and meant. Too often we miss the full message because we start in the middle or towards the end; it wouldn’t hurt to start at 2 Corinthians 1:1 if you have the time.

Be a Giver Challenge

1. Was Paul talking about offering as we use the term today?
2. Who was to receive the funds the local assembly (church) or elsewhere?
3. Pay close attention to chapter 8 verses 10-15.
4. How long was it between the time they decided to give and the actual collection?
5. What are the key points you learned from this lesson?

Please give your answers and feedback in the comment area at the end of the post.

Scriptures to read and study:

Luke 6:27-36 (key verse: 30); Acts 20:17-38; Matthew 10:5-15 (key verse: 8); 2 Corinthians 7:13-9:15

Why should you be a giver? One reason could be to consider the words of Christ—found only in a quote by Paul in Acts 20:35—”It is more blessed to give than to receive“. Keep in mind that John stated in John 21:25 “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” Try to be a giver and see if you are not happier. Be blessed