Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
My special readings
v.9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
v.14
At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will suppy what you need. Then there will be equality.
v.21
For we are taking pains to do what right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.
My special readings
v.9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
v.14
At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will suppy what you need. Then there will be equality.
v.21
For we are taking pains to do what right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.
I've been thinking about v.14 especially with an election coming up. Politicians often want to legislate for equality but it doesn't work. It only works when people voluntarily give of their "plenty" and receive for their "need".
I've been thinking about v.14 especially with an election coming up. Politicians often want to legislate for equality but it doesn't work. It only works when people voluntarily give of their "plenty" and receive for their "need".
Yes, Susan…..would be helpful if the Politicians also considered
v.21 slightly changed…..
not only in the eyes of men, but also in the eyes of the Lord!
Yes, Susan…..would be helpful if the Politicians also considered
v.21 slightly changed…..
not only in the eyes of men, but also in the eyes of the Lord!
I have been a little absent from around here lately. I've been to a couple of training things with work and managed to get a sore back in the process but hopefully I'm back on deck again now.
v.5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.
Everything flows from first giving ourselves to the Lord.
I have been a little absent from around here lately. I've been to a couple of training things with work and managed to get a sore back in the process but hopefully I'm back on deck again now.
v.5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.
Everything flows from first giving ourselves to the Lord.
v.2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
Here's a surprise, severe trial, overflowing joy, extreme poverty lead to rich generosity!
While the rich may give a bigger gift the poor often make a bigger sacrifice.
v.2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
Here's a surprise, severe trial, overflowing joy, extreme poverty lead to rich generosity!
While the rich may give a bigger gift the poor often make a bigger sacrifice.
v.7 But since you excel in everything —in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
Faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness, love are mostly about what we say but giving is about what we do.
Talk is easy, but do our actions match our words?
v.7 But since you excel in everything —in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
Faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness, love are mostly about what we say but giving is about what we do.
Talk is easy, but do our actions match our words?
v.12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
Willingness makes the gift acceptable not the size.
v.12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
Willingness makes the gift acceptable not the size.
v.4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.
Giving is a privilege. We share in building the kingdom. Giving is a form of evangelism.
v.4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.
Giving is a privilege. We share in building the kingdom. Giving is a form of evangelism.
And as Alison has pointed out v.21 is insightful. Paul was "taking pains" not only to do the right thing but to be seen to be doing the right thing and no wonder after all he had been through with the false accusations and the bad reports that people had circulated about him.
Likewise we need to be wise and transparent in our dealings with others.
And as Alison has pointed out v.21 is insightful. Paul was "taking pains" not only to do the right thing but to be seen to be doing the right thing and no wonder after all he had been through with the false accusations and the bad reports that people had circulated about him.
Likewise we need to be wise and transparent in our dealings with others.