Tag Archives: the book of 2 Corinthians

May 17
Leave a comment
Uncategorized Aside

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7, NIV)

Each day, we have numerous opportunities to give.

In the context of today’s scripture, Paul is both commending and encouraging the disciples in Corinth (who were a pretty cosmopolitan lot in their day) to not only give of their treasure, but to give it liberally — and with a smile!

As you have opportunity to give today, remember that “God loves a cheerful giver.”  – Luther

Tagged , ,
March 13
Leave a comment
Uncategorized Aside

“Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:9, NASB)

We frequently here the word “passion,” or its derivative, “passionate,” to describe the drive, energy, and the focus that someone brings to an activity. It is meant to be a compliment, but when we are driven for the wrong reasons; or focused on the wrong things, it is anything but complimentary. 

As disciples of Jesus, our passion is to be pleasing to God. All other interests are subordinate; and all other invitations for our time, talent, and treasure are subject to — and informed by — this singular, supreme, objective.

To “have as our ambition. . . to be pleasing to Him,” is to succeed at all else, because all else is affected by this one thing! – Luther

Tagged , ,
February 26
1 Comment
Uncategorized Aside

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV)

I arrived at home one day to the lovely scent of one of my wife’s favorite perfumes.  My wife wasn’t at home at the time, so I figured that I had just missed her by a matter of minutes.

When she returned some time later, she told me that she had accidentally knocked to the bathroom’s tile floor a glass perfume bottle, thereby “liberating” its contents. 

As Paul reminds us in today’s scripture, we are like that perfume bottle: Fragile, yet filled with the spirit of God. The bottle’s purpose is to serve as a container of the fragrant treasure that, by its nature, changes the character of its environment whenever (and wherever) it is “liberated” — whether by design or by accident.

As we approach Ash Wednesday, remember that we are dust; clay; ashes; a tent.  But also remember that the spirit of almighty God from within us, and through us, changes the character of whatever environment, or circumstance, we encounter. Our fragile frame reminds us that the power is of God, not of ourselves.   – Luther

Tagged , , ,
Newer posts →