Today's Passage:  2 Corinthians 8

Are you a giving person?  Some of you would quickly say 'yes' and others easily would state 'no.'  Whether you are a giving person or not this Scripture will challenge you to give that much more.  Paul is comparing the gifts of the Corinthian church with the Macedonian church.  The church he is writing to had some good things going on at the time (i.e. faith, knowledge, and love).  But Paul challenged the people to excel in their giving to God.

While this giving Paul is referring to is dealing with a specific collection for the Jerusalem church, it still has significant relevance for us today.  As Americans, we typically love our money and our things.  While God can have his 2-10% on a given Sunday, we do not usually think too deeply about giving more than that.  Paul is writing about giving well beyond a typical tithe.  This was not going to be easy for the Corinthian church.  In fact it would be a sacrifice for most.  But what did Paul use to encourage and challenge them?  He said, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ."  For Paul this was enough to be wiling to give completely to God whenever, wherever, and however much God desired.

Is God calling you to give to some organization, mission trip, church, etc.?  Maybe it's not even money that you need to be giving, but perhaps it's the even more coveted possession of time!  Today pray to God and ask Him if He is calling you to give more than what you already do.