ICS Daily Devotions
Love in Action
John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
We have learnt from God that one of the highest expressions of love is the action of giving.
Our reflection on how God expects us to live our lives should involve what He has entrusted us with, which includes our finances, because they are tied to the preaching of the Gospel. Jesus has love and compassion for the lost, the sick, the little ones, and the poor. So as an individual and a church, we can give towards all these causes, and support those on the mission field. While the Gospel was given freely to us by the love of God through Jesus’ death on the cross, the ministry of the Gospel will need money. Therefore, we must not just have faith and be self-serving, but also be proactive in works so that many others will hear the Gospel and see our love in action.
2 Corinthians 9:10, 12-13 (NKJV) Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness…. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men.
In this passage, Paul was preparing the believers in Corinth to make the collection which they had promised to give as a freewill offering to the church in Jerusalem that was in need. The Corinthians had reacted passionately to give initially, and even stirred up the interests of other churches in the region to contribute. However, they were slow in collecting the offering due to some disagreement between Paul and the church in Corinth. Men have the tendencies to be swayed by their feelings, be easily offended, rationalise or justify their actions and dishonour their words.
Whatever it might be that holds us back from tithing or making freewill offering, we need to remember that obedience is better than sacrifices. We should agree that we have been crucified with Christ and we no longer live, and the lives that we live we live for Christ who loves us and gave Himself for us. Therefore, we are to live consecrated and sanctified lives. Jesus said that we are to the love the Lord with all our hearts, our souls, and our minds. We cannot love God and mammon at the same time because we will love one and hate the other. Everything that we do while we are on earth flows out of the sanctified lives, including being stewards of God’s money.
Sermon Series: Free Will Offering
