2 Corinthians 8:8-11

2 Corinthians 8:8-11

I do not say this according to a command, but rather through the eagerness of others while examining the genuineness of your love.  For you all know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake He became poor while being rich, in order that you all should become rich in the poverty of that one.  And I give my opinion in this: for this is advantageous to you all – who not only did this but you also began to desire to do it more than a year ago.  And now, complete the doing of this in order that just as you all were eager to desire in the same way also the completion is out of what you all have.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul does not desire to command the Corinthians.  Sure, Paul could have commanded them.  He was the spiritual superior and likely the intellectual superior, too.  But Paul doesn’t desire to command them.  Paul desires that they choose proper behavior themselves.  All good mentors want this.  All good mentors can order people around; but they would rather shepherd their mentees into them being able to make good decisions for themselves.

Why is it best for people to learn how to make their own decisions?  Why is it better to lead people into making their own decisions than simply ordering them around?

Second Thought:

Paul is clear about one thing in this passage.  Jesus Christ gave up everything for us.  He is God!  He knew a perfectly eternal existence.  Yet He became human – limited in physical nature – for our sake.  He became poor when He was rich in order that we might find salvation.  If Christ was willing to empty Himself for the benefit of those who cannot save themselves, should we not be like minded?

What did Christ give up for you?  How do you respond?

Third Thought:

Paul encourages the Corinthians to complete their promises.  This is great advice.  The Corinthians had promised to take up the collection for the widows and orphans in Jerusalem.  But some time had passed and as is common among human beings the desire to complete the promise had waned a little bit.  They needed encouragement to finish the task.  It wasn’t like the Corinthians had gone against their commitment; they simply had fallen away from their eagerness in completing it.  I personally find this a common human trait – at least within myself.  I have all kinds of great ideas and wonderful promises.  But when the newness fades, like the Corinthians I need to be encouraged to continue in my desire!

Are you similar to me in that sometimes your desire fades after the newness wears off?  Why or why not?  When are you most susceptible to this?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 8:12-15