Day 20: Radical Generosity
Day 20: Radical Generosity
"For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us." - 2 Corinthians 8:2-5
In this text, Paul is referring to the Macedonians who had been through a devastating war that left everyone penniless. The economy was shot. Nobody has anything, yet in this desperate setting they explode the modern notion of generosity.
Out of “affliction, extreme poverty, beyond their means” they overflow in a wealth of generosity. They beg to take part. This is a radical notion of generosity that invites everyone to participate. We have heard of living beyond your means, but these radically generous people were giving beyond their means.
Out of “affliction, extreme poverty, beyond their means” they overflow in a wealth of generosity. They beg to take part. This is a radical notion of generosity that invites everyone to participate. We have heard of living beyond your means, but these radically generous people were giving beyond their means.
Prayer Focus:
Lord, if I try to withhold myself, I will withhold my capacity. Lord, I want to experience a generosity that is so radical that people say, “It’s all yours Lord, it’s all yours.”
Reflection:
This equation only works in a radical kingdom economy. Jack Taylor called it “God’s Miraculous Plan of Economy.” Supernatural generosity. Revival generosity. Gospel generosity. God so loved the World that He gave…
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” V.9
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” V.9
Posted in 21 Days of Prayer