Bible Reading: Proverbs 22,23,24; 2 Corinthians 8
“Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality” – 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 (KJV).
Liberality is a grace, and not everyone is so graced to make sacrifice of their finances, time and material things. Most people have the nature and mindset of hiding and holding tightly to their possessions. Such people find it very hard to let go or to part with their possessions.
There are some that have conquered greed. Their possessions serve them; they have gained mastery and so have become liberal. They can easily part with things that are dear to them even at their own hurt. The Macedonia church was a good example of liberality. They had such a terrific grace that even in their deep poverty, they willingly gave. Not only that they gave, they did it with joy. They compelled Paul and his team to receive gifts from them. They saw giving as a privilege and great blessing. They didn’t need anyone to compel or manipulate them to do so.
The Corinthians church on the contrary, lacked such grace. They had grace in other areas like in utterance, spiritual gifts, knowledge, faith but they didn’t have the grace to give liberally. Apostle Paul challenged them to grow in this grace that was on the Macedonia church.
To manifest this liberal grace, we must see ourselves as just stewards not owners. We must understand that God owns all things and give them liberally to us. We are mere caretakers or stewards not owners. We must also die to greed, by dealing with self. The flesh will always toll the path of selfishness but as we discipline the body and renew the mind, we can receive the grace to be liberal with the blessings of God. The liberal soul shall flourish but the stingy soul will always dry up.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant me the grace to be liberal with your blessings in my life.
Rev. Vincent Diolu