Generosity
2 Corinthians 8:2 "…how, while passing through great trouble, their boundless joy even amid their deep poverty has overflowed to increase their generous liberality." NIV
"The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts." The Message
I confess, I’m rarely happy in a time of trial. Yet Paul writes of the church in the Macedonia province and how the people’s true colors came through in their time of pressure and trouble. Instead of going inward and lamenting their sad state, they "pleaded for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians". Their joy even amid deep poverty overflowed to increase their generosity. How did they do that, how did they draw upon such a spirit that witnessed to their love of Jesus by giving more than they could even afford?
These generous acts are not done in order to receive joy but because the people have a spirit of God they cannot help but share.
Original Devotional by Jane Kirkpatrick, author of Where Lilacs Still Bloom
Daily Reflection: What can you do this holiday season to share the generous, joyful spirit of God?