2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (NRSV)
Read 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 on biblegateway.com
Verse 7Now as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you-so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking. Verse 8I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. Verse 9For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. Verse 10And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something- Verse 11now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. Verse 12For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has-not according to what one does not have. Verse 13I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between Verse 14your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. Verse 15As it is written, "The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little."
Devotion
Now finish it! Shauna painted with a team of high school missionaries at an orphanage in Mexico. They began together with paint, rollers, brushes and drop cloths, painting with gusto and enthusiasm—walls, ceilings, spiders, one another's arms and faces. Two hours later, Shauna painted alone. Everyone else had found "something else to do." Later, when Shauna needed a letter of recommendation, hers was easy to write. She was a finisher, one of the few who complete what they start.
Paul encourages the church in Corinth to finish their stewardship campaign. They started with a flash last year, now they needed to finish big! (Talk is cheap without the real funds to show.) "Now finish it!" says Paul.
What have you started? How will your giving to ministry look this summer? Will you travel? Do you have automated tithing or checkless deduction set up? Does your estate planning include your faith priorities? How will you "finish?"
Prayer
Dear God, please strengthen our resolve to faithfully support your work. Remind us of the enthusiasm we felt as we began our work together, and sharpen our vision of the satisfaction we will share in finishing strong. Amen.