6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. 7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. ... 9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
It's interesting that the "obligation" that Paul argues here is a result of the congregation's initial desire to provide financial aid. It was not a religious obligation, but an obligation to obey the desire to be generous. Of course, our generosity is a reflection of the generosity that Jesus demonstrated by giving Himself as a payment for our sinfulness. Perhaps a good test question for fiscal generosity could be, "How is the generosity of Christ's sacrifice being magnified through my giving to this particular ministry?"
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for letting me be so focused on money. I confess that as an American, I tend to think that money is more valuable and powerful than it really is. Please help me see money as a tool or resource that may or may not be useful to you depending on the particular circumstance and obedient response to your Holy Spirit. Lord, I know that you don't need money, and I can't buy soul's with money, but I know that you can develop generous financial giving in me that can be used by you to help expand the Kingdom of Christ. Lord, please grow humility in me to see that apart from humble obedience, money can get me caught up in prideful religious "donations" or wasteful worldly spending. I want to obey you generously. I love you. Thank you for your generosity through Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.
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