Generosity and Grace
I’m tired here at the end of the day. It was a full day leaving the house at 7 a.m. and getting home at about 6 p.m.
Pastor Steve and Harris and I made a trip to the Capitol in Denver. The weather was great and so was the traffic. It was good to be at the Capitol on this last Friday of the legislative session. Those I who began their service with me in 2007 are term limited as of the end of the session next Wednesday. Very few make a full eight years of service in the House. Congratulations to my nine colleagues on the both sides of the aisle that made it to that point.
I was glad to have Pastor Steve with me on his first trip to our Capitol as a Colorado native. I was able to introduce him to some legislators, lobbyists and House Sergeants. It was good to be able to see the shining new gold dome emerging from the renovation process that has been taking place the past few years.
This afternoon I went through my outpatient evaluation at Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital. Both the physical and occupational therapy evaluations were very through and showed my progress over the last couple of months. My next step in the rehab process will be scheduling my weekly outpatient visits. I trust my progress will continue and accelerate over the next few weeks.
Bible Verse for Today… But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.                              2 Corinthians 8:7
This morning I read through these chapters that discuss the virtue of giving. Paul is discussing a collection for         the Saints in Jerusalem who were experiencing famine and time of great hardship. Paul commended to the Church at Corinth those in Macedonia and here is how he described their response,
In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,  they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 2 Corinthians 8:2-5
The believers in Macedonia set a high bar and outstanding example of stewardship and a response to a need. I am reminded of the widow who put her penny in the temple treasury and was commended by Jesus as “giving more than the others because…she gave out of her poverty.” In like fashion this Church dealing with their own trial, demonstrates a heart and willingness to give to others.
I feel like I am a generous person, but I am challenged by the words fitting together that described, “overflowing joy” mixed with “extreme poverty” welling up in “rich generosity.” That is not a natural response, it is truly a supernatural response and one of supernatural grace being extended to others and by others. The reason, poverty creates a natural inward, self-centered focus. One that most would feel is justified. After all, If you are financially insecure it is difficult to give out of what little an individual has.
This type of response is only possible with extreme faith and confidence in God. This is like the widow woman making the final meal for her and her son and the Prophet Elijah says first make a loaf of bread for me and you will have an adequate supply of meal and oil to last the famine. This “grace of giving” comes when there is spiritual maturity and development in many other areas of Christian character and discipline. In other words, the “grace of giving” grows out of not in isolation from the work of God’s Spirit in our life.
Paul makes it clear that this is a spiritual maturity matter and a matter of the heart and not an amount of money:  “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.” (2 Corinthians 8:12) Paul commended the Church in Macedonia as having given “…themselves first to the Lord…”
When we place our trust in the Lord, He is faithful to us, we see Paul underscoring this when he says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”         (2 Corinthians 12:6) “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 12:8)
Generosity in the work of the Lord and for those in need enables us to be more effective in the work of the Lord and to see the work of the Lord multiply through our lives. So we see that giving is not just an action, it is an attitude and an outgrowth of our spiritual vitality and richness.