Author: Beth Duncan

2 Corinthians 9:13a Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, 

Holy Father, Thank You for using this scripture to bring to the fore an issue that I know I still need to work on. Thank You that I am more generous now than I used to be. Thank You that there are times where I don’t weigh the cost before giving. That’s progress. Help me, always, to recognize and celebrate the progress, no matter how small.

2 Corinthians 9:13b …and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 

Beloved Lord, Thank You for reminding me of the work that I still need to do in the area of generosity. I know you don’t want me to beat myself up, but You do want to remake me in Your image. I want that, too. Help me to live into Your grace and generosity while being gentle with myself and my slow progress.

2 Corinthians 9:14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the example of generous living, generous giving that You provide. Help me to breathe in Your grace, breathe in Your peace, keep moving closer to You, one step at a time. Amen.

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Have a blessed day.

2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 

When I heard today’s verses during the sermon on Sunday, I knew that this was where I was being called to go this week. The image of standing there, hands extended, fists clenched tightly still comes to mind when I read these verses. It doesn’t look good. It doesn’t feel good. And I don’t want it to be my default reaction.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

Verse 8 is where I need to live with this issue: “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” I know that it’s true, I know God will supply all my needs, but still I hold on so tightly to things. Jesus, Help me.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 

Precious Savior, My head knows the truth of 2 Corinthians 9:8, but my heart has trouble believing that I don’t need to squirrel away resources so that I don’t have to do without. I cannot point others to you with clenched fists. I know this. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

2 Corinthians 9:9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

Have a blessed day.

2 Corinthians 9:4a For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—

I remember a page from a Precious Moments coloring book when I was young: Two smiling kiddos, a boy and a girl, with a wagon full of adorable puppies, ringing a doorbell, presumably to give said puppies away, to share the cuteness with others. The caption read: God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:4b …would be ashamed of having been so confident. 

I spoke yesterday about my scarcity mindset. I have no idea what that issue is rooted in, but it often causes my giving to be less than cheerful. There are lots of careful calculations involved. It’s not that I don’t want to be generous. I do. I just don’t want to be without, either. Even to type that statement makes me feel terrible, and I know God is calling me, yet again, to deal with this issue.

2 Corinthians 9:5a So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. 

Precious Savior, Thank You that You supply all my needs. Thank You for once again bringing this matter of cheerful giving to my attention. Help me to deal with it so that I can be a cheerful giver, so that I can give without worrying about whether I will be lacking. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

2 Corinthians 9:5b Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.

Have a blessed day.

2 Corinthians 9:1 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people. 

Commentary says that verse 1 might be Paul being sarcastic, that if there had been no need to write these things, he would not have done so, but that since he *did* write these things, that shows that the Corinthians did need the reminder. It makes me chuckle to think of an apostle as sarcastic.

2 Corinthians 9:2a For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; 

But I understand the Corinthians just a smidge better when I see that they, too, struggle with being generous. It’s not that I don’t want to be generous, it’s that *I* don’t want to have to do without. This is a side of myself that I have struggled with for a long time, and I haven’t yet won the battle. Jesus, Help me.

2 Corinthians 9:2b …and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.  

Precious Savior, Thank You that in You, I have everything that I could ever need. Help me to grow in love and generosity towards others. Help me not to get stuck in a scarcity mindset, afraid that I may have to do without if I share with others. YOU supply all my needs. Always. Help me. Amen.

2 Corinthians 9:3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be.

Have a blessed day.