“Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace God gave the Macedonians…” 2 Cor. 8:1ff.
Heavenly Father, the story behind this 1/2-verse underscores why we can never over-emphasize your grace. For your grace isn’t a “something,” but a Someone—your beloved Son. Jesus is grace-incarnate.
What an amazing story Paul gives us 2 Corinthians 8. The hard-life, “dirt-poor” Macedonians became a model of generous living and giving. Guilt, fear and legalism can’t generate that kind of freedom and joy. Generosity finds its roots and wings in the Gospel—in Jesus himself.
Though eternally rich, Jesus became immeasurably “poor.” He did so to enrich us in ways that make real estate, big money, and a “cushy retirement” seem like “chump change.” Father, grant us the same grace and freedom, you gave the churches of Macedonia.
By the Gospel you have enriched us in every way that we might be generous in every way—with currency and kindness (2 Cor. 9:11). Here are just five of the ways we want to spend and invest your “deep-pocket grace” this week.
(1) Help us remember our “eye-log” will be a bigger issue this week than anybody else’s “eye-speck.” (2) Free us to be 3 times quicker at overlooking and encouraging, than criticizing and blaming (3) When conflict is necessary or “just happens,” may we stay present lovingly, and receive feedback non-defensively.
(4) Give us joy in spending a chunk of grace-bullion on changes we don’t like, and people we’d like to change. (5) Free us to splurge with your grace, giving others big gifts of a kind-presence, heart-listening, and quick repentances. Thank you, Father. So Very Amen.