14 day plan

Chasing Joy

Day 12 of 14

GNT

2 Corinthians 9:7

7 You should each give, then, as you have decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly.

Reflection:  I once ate a meal made by a woman who was desperately poor, and sure, it gave me the squirts, but it truly was the most generous gift I have ever received. In order to give me a meal this woman went hungry herself but was delighted that I was giving her the gift of giving.  As I sat enduring the repercussions of the meal for the next little while I considered the humbling joy of giving. Not just giving your left overs, or 10 percent, or even a lump sum, but giving that denies yourself.  Sometimes I might
give in a way that denies myself, but what about giving that denies my family, my children? Am I willing to put myself in a position that costs my children in order to give to others?  Part of the joy found in giving, I believe, is that you discover that God has you. You can step outside, you can unclench your fist, hold his hand, let go of yourself, trust him, and give.

Question: Is there something you need to let go of? Do you know the joy and freedom of giving?

Prayer:  Help us to prize open our clenched fists Lord, that we might know the joy of giving.

Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Bible text from the Good News Translation (GNT) is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East, Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155 (www.americanbible.org). LICENSEE shall reproduce the following trademark and trademark notice on the copyright page of each copy of the Licensed Products: ®

Days

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2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Help for Needy Believers

1There is really no need for me to write you about the help being sent to God's people in Judea. 2I know that you are willing to help, and I have boasted of you to the people in Macedonia. “The believers in Achaia,” I said, “have been ready to help since last year.” Your eagerness has stirred up most of them. 3Now I am sending these believers, so that our boasting about you in this matter may not turn out to be empty words. But, just as I said, you will be ready with your help. 4However, if the people from Macedonia should come with me and find out that you are not ready, how ashamed we would be—not to speak of your shame—for feeling so sure of you! 5So I thought it was necessary to urge these believers to go to you ahead of me and get ready in advance the gift you promised to make. Then it will be ready when I arrive, and it will show that you give because you want to, not because you have to.

6Remember that the person who plants few seeds will have a small crop; the one who plants many seeds will have a large crop. 7 You should each give, then, as you have decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly. 8And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause. 9 As the scripture says,

“He gives generously to the needy;

his kindness lasts forever.”

10 And God, who supplies seed for the sower and bread to eat, will also supply you with all the seed you need and will make it grow and produce a rich harvest from your generosity. 11He will always make you rich enough to be generous at all times, so that many will thank God for your gifts which they receive from us. 12For this service you perform not only meets the needs of God's people, but also produces an outpouring of gratitude to God. 13And because of the proof which this service of yours brings, many will give glory to God for your loyalty to the gospel of Christ, which you profess, and for your generosity in sharing with them and everyone else. 14And so with deep affection they will pray for you because of the extraordinary grace God has shown you. 15Let us thank God for his priceless gift!

Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Bible text from the Good News Translation (GNT) is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East, Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155 (www.americanbible.org). LICENSEE shall reproduce the following trademark and trademark notice on the copyright page of each copy of the Licensed Products: ®