S)"13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all,"
2 Corinthians 9:13 (NASB)
O) This verse stood out to me, but it took me a little bit to digest it. I kind of had to work backwards through it. The Corinthians gave liberally to the apostles for the purposes of spreading the gospel and seeing the church grow through their missionary work. That giving was done in obedience to their confession of the gospel. That is to say that, because they confess that the gospel is true, they have an actual obligation, an indirect command, to see to it that the gospel is spread. And then, as that missionary work is being done and proving itself, then God is glorified by their gift, given in obedience.
A) I don't consider myself particularly strong in evangelical gifts. Truthfully, to say that a person has the "gift of evangelism" is pretty rare, I think. Having said that, I know that Jesus left us a command to spread the gospel in the Great Commission. I know that a part of that is done in taking the small, maybe rare, occassions to give my testimony to an unbeliever. In this verse, though, I find that there is another way for me to take part in the Great Commission, despite the notion that my giftings don't particularly lend themselves to the spreading of the gospel. I can obey by giving liberally to missionary work. I do believe that there is a small matter of being sure the missionary work is proven and effective - but only to a certain degree. I shouldn't be so concerned with finding "the right ministry" to support that I am frozen in inactivity. I'd be lying to myself if I thought I couldn't find a proven missionary work. With this verse and with yesterday's verse, I think I need to give this serious consideration and work out a plan to give liberally to the spreading of the gospel.
P) Father, I want to be faithful to every command given. You are worthy of my obedience in every way. I know that You equip those who are called and You don't command impossible things; in fact, all things are possible with You. I know that I have opportunities to directly share the gospel, but I also know that there are others who more regularly, more successfully share Your love, mercy, and grace to a world who does not know of You. I want to be faithful to that spreading gospel. Holy Spirit, I feel a call to support missionary work more and I want to be sure I am doing it according to the Father's will. So, as I search to put this plan into action, direct my path. Increase my faith to be bold and liberal in my giving, not only as an act of sacrifice, but truly as an act of obedience. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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