2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Thursday, 18 February 2021
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. -2 Corinthians 8:9
When God created man everything they needed were free; but as time progressed men became selfish and their needs became more and more complex and as of today nothing is completely free for us, including the water we drink and the air we breathe (think of people in countries who buy bottles of fresh air to enjoy breathing!!) Yet in these troublesome times, we see testimonies of great Christians who stand out as silver linings of selfless and compassionate giving against the dark clouds of selfish humanity! Many of them operate in extreme difficulties providing the physical needs as well as the more important spiritual need- the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the best example for us in everything He did whether it is in demonstrating His love towards us or in His “giving” Himself for us!
God was always concerned about the poor and in the Law of Moses there were many provisions like the Sabbath year and the Jubilee year (Leviticus 25) etc. to take care of their financial and social affairs. When our Lord Jesus came to earth as a human being, He chose to be born in a poor home - we see how Mary sacrificed two turtledoves unlike a lamb for those who could afford it (even though she carried the Lamb of God in her hands, as rightly said by a Bible scholar). He was laid in a manger in Bethlehem after His birth since there was no place for them in the inn. Philippians 2:7 [NLV] says, “He put aside everything that belonged to Him and made Himself the same as a servant who is owned by someone. He became human by being born as a man.” All for our sake!
Later Jesus gave up His life, the most precious thing for anyone. The list of His “giving” to us is endless and at the appointed time, He shed his blood for the remission of our sins on the cross of Calvary, despising its shame (Heb.12:2) and endured the wrath of God the Father for our sake. The only way we could repay Christ for this undeserved and unparalleled love and grace is to give ourselves to Him to be conformed to His image.
To give ourselves to Him involves accepting His lordship in our life- in everything we do and everything we possess. Such giving becomes the pleasing aroma- a sacrifice that God accepts. There are many who have not heard of this Giver of Life or believed on Him—the Rich One who gave his everything for us all. They should not be lost, for He paid for them too! We have this great responsibility of reaching them with this Good News with everything we have! Our lives should be testimony of our belief in Him, which is our true worship before this world. The Gospel needs people who can give without expecting anything in return. Then one day we will hear the most satisfying appreciation from our LORD: “Good and Faithful Servant!”, when we meet Him in the splendor of His true riches. This is what matters and should matter in anybody’s life.
“…And that's why we praise Him, that's why we sing/ That's why we offer Him our everything/ That's why we bow down and worship this King/ 'Cause He gave His everything/ 'Cause He gave His everything.”
(Tommy Walker)
Listen: ‘That’s why we praise Him!’