“Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace God gave the Macedonians…” 2 Cor. 8:1ff.
Heavenly Father, the story connected with the rest of this verse underscores why we can never over-emphasize your grace. Grace never needs to be balanced with something. For your grace isn’t a “something,” but a Someone—your beloved Son. Jesus is your grace incarnate.
What an amazing story Paul gives us 2 Corinthians 8. The hard-life, “dirt-poor” Macedonians became a model of joyful living and giving. Guilt, fear and legalism can’t generate that kind of freedom. 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.
You have enriched us in every way that we might be generous in every way (2 Cor. 9:11). Many continue to worry and scurry to finance temporal empires and expiration-dated governments. But why live by anger and insurrection, when we can live by hope and resurrection? Only your Kingdom is unshakable and eternal.
Father, give us a new “investment strategy” as you fill our hearts with eternity, your grace, and a vision of our coming life in the new heaven and new earth. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ great and gracious name.