PASTORS' DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Apr
08

In The Image Of God

Richard Waialeale

Scripture
2 Corinthians 8:8-9 (NIV)8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
Observation
When it comes to generosity and the act of giving, in essence, Paul is saying in order to be like Christ, our generosity must be motivated out of love. The Scripture says to “test the sincerity of your love,“ when it comes generosity. How much do I love God and people? Am I willing to give to God what is in my possession, in my hand, in order to allow Him to use for the people, for His Glory?
A good example of internal perspective is found in the Gospels, where Jesus tells the story of a Rich Young Man who assumed eternal life could be gained by his superior ethical performance. Jesus then challenges the rich young man to go and sell his possessions, which he refuses and cannot do. It is the condition of his heart. Generosity and giving is in every single one of us. God created us to give because He gave. Are we willing to do it God’s way or the worlds way?
Application
The example of giving is in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”I must be an example of generosity and give as God gave. Give because I choose to give out of a grateful, compassionate and merciful heart. The more I give, out of my heart, the more I am in the image of God.
Prayer
Lord thank you for creating us in Your image. Giving is a part of me and I need to exemplify this as how You gave. You bankrupted heaven for us. Thank you for loving us, now I must be that example and motivation of love. Amen.

Devotions for April 08

1 Samuel 3,4,5
Psalm 77
2 Corinthians 8

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