2 Corinthians_8

Scripture  2 Corinthians 8:20-21  taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.  Observation-What does it say?  In chapters 8 and 9, Paul discusses generosity with the church in Corinth.  Specifically, he was addressing the collection of money for Christians in distress.  For this task, he left Titus in charge. In part, he did this to avoid any appearance of mishandling the money or embezzlement.  He goes on to point out that we are to serve others, so they can see God’s love through our service.   Understanding-What does it mean?  It may be a little late to talk about Christmas, but a movie that I can watch all year is It’s a Wonderful Life.  I don’t know if it’s the way Jimmy Stewart’s voice lingers as he contemplates all the different scenarios he finds himself in, or the idea of a simpler time.  Regardless of the little nuances of the classic film, it is really the character of George Bailey that draws me in every time. George was a generous man, always giving and never asking in return.  This part of his character is what drew people to come to depend on him and love him so dearly.   All too often, I think we get the perspective of George Bailey though.  We see our position as one without hope, especially when it comes to giving.  I know that I have believed the lie that my generosity will be of little help.  I fall into the belief that I can do no good, because what I have to give is small.  But even the smallest gifts, when given with the right intention, can have a big impact.  Jesus pointed out the offering of the widow, her last mite, was a bigger gift than the ones who gave out of their abundance (Luke 21:1-4). Sometimes, we are called to be generous in the worst situations, when we feel as though we will not make it.  In these times, we are reminded that God provides (Matthew 6:25-34). It may be, in the times that feel the most vulnerable and least secure, that our generosity can have the biggest voice.  Paul reminds us, in the book or Romans, that unless we are willing to share God’s love, people will not hear the message of hope (Romans 10:14-15).
Life Application:  Jesus, help me to find myself in situations where I can be generous.  Even more, give me the boldness to share the gospel at these times. When I am scared, help me to trust in you and your provision.  Help us to find your peace, no matter the chaos going on around me.

 

-Tyler Galloway

2 Corinthians 7

Scripture 

2 Corinthians 7:10 

10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

2 Corinthians 7:10 (MSG)

10 Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets.

Observation

Paul, in his writing, is expressing how in his previous letter has spoken quite “frankly” to them. He expressed his love for the church he was writing to and even if his previous letter caused some pain He is glad that it brought them to repentance and closer to God. 

2 Corinthians 7: 8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.

Understanding

Have you ever had someone tell you something that hurt or stung you a bit. I think we all have. It may have made you feel a bit depressed for a minute and maybe just sad. But once you got over the initial pain of the sting then you were able to see what needed to be changed and now you are a better person because of it. 

In some ways I feel like the situation we are in now with the quarantine is providing a harsh word. We are able to see where a lot of our devotion has been; food, money, and of course toilet paper, among other things. 

For me I have taken for granted the comforts I have. 

Food. Money. Health.

I have been to countries where food does not come in abundance, it doesn’t not sit in a huge samsung refrigerator. It is sought out daily. 

Toilet paper is not even an option. It is for the wealthy and most of the people where I visited are not wealthy. In fact it was a way of life to not have toilet paper. Babies do not use diapers and wipes, it's just a way of life. 

I have access to healthcare and even when I don’t I can take care of my health simply by making better choices in food and exercise.

I am starting to recognize the areas that need change. A change of my heart and my mind. 

I am filled with sorrow. 

“Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain…”

Application

The quarantine is causing some pain. Our comforts have been compromised. Our health is at stake. Now our finances are taking a hit. 

But don't let it cause pain that leads to bitterness and discontent. Instead let it cause the pain that leads us to the presence of God in repentance. Let’s feel sorry that we have put other things above Him. 

The truth is that money is not my provider, God is.

He “owns the cattle on a thousand hills.”

Food does not sustain me, God does. 

He is the “bread of life.”

A virus does not determine my days on earth, God does. 

He is the “author of life.”

We have a great blessing that has been given to us, a chance to get alone with ourselves, reflect, and turn to God. Let us use our time of solitude from the outside world to draw near to God and open our ears to hear him and listen for his words that will bring about repentance and change. 

Deborah Lee 

Proverbs__3

Scripture

Proverbs 3:27

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.

 

Observation

King Solomon continues the proverbs by speaking about wisdom and how it applies to a person’s well-being. In this section though, he contends that our own well-being is reliant on giving honor where it is due. He extends this by urging people to act in love, so that they can then grow in wisdom.

 

Understanding

Gratitude leads to growth in wisdom.

I pride myself on being a student. It’s something that I use to define myself in everyday life just because I love learning so much. I love the idea that “knowledge is power” because I honestly think that it is, and with knowledge is this huge responsibility to impart it to others. Something that I recently discovered (that kind of crushed me) is that knowledge and wisdom are not the same thing. I figured if I was smart and had information I would impress upon people the desire to learn as well. However, something that Solomon knows really well and is trying to impress on people here, is that knowledge and wisdom are not equivalent. Knowledge is useless without the wisdom to yield it. A better way to explain this idea would probably be from my favorite book To Kill a Mockingbird: “Folks don’t like to have someone around knowing more than they do, it aggravates them. You’re not going to change anyone by talking right, they’ve got to want to learn themselves…”

I guess what I’m trying to get at, is that in order to share your knowledge and understanding with people, you have to let them know how much you love and appreciate them. If I simply start by telling all I know it threatens people and pushes them away from me. I’m still trying to learn this lesson, and believe me when I say that I have experienced this many times in my twenty years on this planet. Knowing this and applying this, Solomon argues, is the first step in becoming wise. So don’t withhold good, withhold what you may know. Calpurnia said it best, “they’ve got to want to learn themselves,” but sometimes just investing in them pushes them towards wanting to learn and listen to what you have to say. This is the secret ingredient to wisdom beyond understanding: appreciating people for who God created them to be. I once heard a wise old guy say that “good deeds leads good will that leads to the Good News.”

 

Life Application

Let’s be a people who are all about good things! Don’t withhold gratitude when it is due, especially because it is the first step in attaining wisdom. Also because Solomon ends this chapter by saying:

The wise inherit honor, but fools only get shame.

Think about what you are thankful for, if it is a person, let them know! Even if it isn’t a person share what you are thankful for with others, and maybe it will lead to them thinking about they are grateful for and so on. And from there your knowledge has done the amazing and turned into wisdom for others.

-Allison Khan