The Gift of Giving 捐献的恩赐

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Dexu Xia

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Jun 5, 2025, 12:27:42 AM6/5/25

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Each of you should give . . . not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

Today's Scripture 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

Today's Insights A fitting label for the “Macedonian churches” (2 Corinthians 8:1)—Thessalonica and Berea—is “Exemplars of Grace.” These churches were planted by Paul on his second missionary journey in Philippi. Second Corinthians 8 describes these believers in Jesus. They weren’t content simply with being recipients of God’s favor (v. 1); they became channels of generosity. Furthermore, they didn’t allow their destitution to excuse them from sharing with others: “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (v. 2). As recipients of God’s grace (v. 1), they viewed their participation not as an obligation but as a “privilege” (v. 4). Finally, the giving of their material possessions was the result of their having given themselves first to Christ (v. 5), who, “though he was rich . . . became poor, so that [we] through his poverty might become rich” (v. 9). As we give sacrificially to others in need, we reflect His giving ways.

Today's Devotional In his 2024 address to 1,200 university graduates, billionaire businessman Robert Hale Jr. said, “These trying times have heightened the need for sharing, caring and giving. [My wife and I] want to give you two gifts: The first is our gift to you, the second is the gift of giving.” His words were followed by the distribution of two envelopes each to the unexpectant graduates—five hundred dollars to keep and five hundred to give away to a person in need. Though Robert Hale’s wealth has allowed him to share like this on more than one occasion, generosity isn’t reserved for those with great means. Believers in Jesus in ancient Macedonia gave out of their poverty so the needs of believers in Jerusalem could be met. Paul said of the Macedonians, “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:2). He commends them because “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” (vv. 3-4).

Those who recognize that they’ve been given much grace from God through Jesus can respond with generous hands to the needs of others. With God’s help, let’s give after the example of the one who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Reflect & Pray

What can you offer generously to someone? How have you been the recipient of another’s generosity?

Heavenly Father, please help me to give generously to others. By Arthur Jackson

捐献的恩赐

“你们各人要随本心所酌定的，不要作难，不要勉强，因为捐得乐意的人是神所喜爱的。”(哥林多后书 9:7 )

今日经文：哥林多后书 8章1-7节

今日心得： “马其顿教会”（哥林多后书 8:1），即帖撒罗尼迦和庇哩亚教会的一个恰当标签是“恩典的典范”。这些教会是保罗在腓立比第二次宣教旅程中建立的。哥林多后书第8章描述了这些信耶稣的人。他们不满足于仅仅成为神恩惠的接受者（1节）；他们成为慷慨的管道。此外，他们没有让贫困成为不与他人分享的借口：“他们在患难中受大试炼的时候，仍有满足的快乐，在极穷之间还格外显出他们乐捐的厚恩”（2节）。作为上帝恩典的接受者（1节），他们将自己的参与视为一种“特权”，而非义务（4节）。最后，他们慷慨奉献物质财富，是因为他们先将自己献给基督（5节），“他本来富足，却成了贫穷，叫我们因他的贫穷，可以成为富足”（9节）。当我们慷慨地帮助有需要的人时，我们便是在效法基督的奉献之道。

今日灵修：亿万富翁小罗伯特·黑尔在2024年对1200名大学毕业生的演讲中说：“在这些艰难的时期更加需要分享、关爱和奉献。我和妻子想给你们两份礼物：第一份是我们送给你们的礼物，第二份是奉献的礼物。”说完这些话后，他向每一位即将毕业的毕业生分发了两个信封：一个五百美元自己留着，另一个五百美元送给一位有需要的人。

虽然罗伯特·黑尔的财富让他不止一次能够如此慷慨地分享，但是，慷慨并非富人的专利。古代马其顿的耶稣信徒们也曾慷慨解囊，帮助耶路撒冷的信徒。

保罗这样评价马其顿人：“他们在患难中受大试炼的时候，仍有满足的快乐，在极穷之间，还格外显出他们乐捐的厚恩”（哥林多后书 8:2）。他称赞他们，因为“他们尽其所能，甚至超过自己的力量，再三地求我们，准他们在这供给圣徒的恩情上有分”（哥林多后书 8:3-4）。那些认识到自己借着耶稣从上帝那里蒙受了丰盛恩典的人，会慷慨地伸出双手，帮助他人。在神的帮助下，让我们效法那位说“施比受更为有福”的人（使徒行传 20:35）。

反思与祈祷你能慷慨地给予他人什么？你是如何接受他人慷慨的？