They Gave Themselves First Of All

To The Lord

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything —in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 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 8:1-9

We are taught from an early age the importance of it being better to give than to receive.

Give yourself to the Lord first. Give remembering the example of Jesus Christ giving His life for ours. Give according to your means. Give enthusiastically because of God’s love. Give generously, not grudgingly or because of outside pressure.

When we give ourselves completely to the Lord, all lesser giving becomes easier.

Our Daily Bread – July 1, 2012