Thursday December 28, 2023

Today is Thursday, December 28 and we are celebrating that Christmas is here and Christ is here.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and focus myself on God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving Father, I rejoice that Christmas has come. I long to put Jesus Christ first in my life today and always. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, enable me to hear the message you have for me. Show me what it means to find Christ in Christmas. Amen.

Today, I praise the Lord and celebrate God’s goodness with the words of Psalm 112.

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. Psalm 112:4-6

Pause and Pray

In the Old Testament, God commanded his people to bring an annual offering of firstfruits to the house of the Lord before they took anything for themselves. Firstfruits are the first agricultural produce of the harvest. The ancient Israelites celebrated the Feast of the Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops sown in their field (Exodus 23:16). Harvest time was a time of celebration and thanksgiving for their blessings. Although we are separated from the cycles of agriculture, the time of harvest, abundance, gratitude and thanksgiving is still a major part of our culture and heritage. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul encouraged the people to excel in the grace of giving – giving themselves first to the Lord and then generously to others.

We want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that 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. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you – see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

This passage of scripture encourages me to be generous even in times of trial and to offer my gifts to God with joy. According to Paul the churches in Macedonia were in the midst of a severe trial and experiencing poverty, yet they gave money to support the ministry beyond their ability. They pleaded for the privilege of sharing what they had and giving it to the Lord. They first gave themselves to the Lord and then gave to others generously. Perhaps that is the secret of generous giving. Giving myself first and foremost to the Lord. When I am completely God’s, he changes my heart and fills me with the desire for joyful giving.

Ask: What can I do to excel in the grace of giving? What can I offer to God as firstfruits of my life’s blessings?

Pause and Pray

Holy, loving and gracious God. You have been exceedingly generous with me and are always providing for me with abundance. Thank you for the privilege of sharing your gifts with others. Teach me the joy of gracious and generous giving and show me what I can offer to you as firstfruits of my blessings. I read Paul’s words again and listen for the message you have for me today.

We want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that 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. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you – see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I consider what God wants to teach me through the words of today’s scripture. When have I been in a position like the Macedonian churches, facing a trial or financial concern? I remember times when I was inspired to give a financial gift. When have I experienced the overflowing joy of generosity? How can I do like the Macedonians and give myself first to the Lord and then to others? I name the things I clutch onto and withhold from God. God wants to bring my faith to completion through grace so that I also can excel in everything – in faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness, love and giving. How can I grow in these things and mature in grace?

Pause and Pray

Lord God, I want to give myself completely to you and hold nothing back. Show me how I can grow in the grace of giving. Grant me a generous, thankful heart as I learn to offer my firstfruits to you. You have richly blessed me, grant me grace to give myself to bless others. Amen.

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I seek to grow in generosity. Show me ways I can give out of what I have to bless others.

Amen