devotional post # 2195

2 Corinthians 9:4-6

2Co 9:4  If you are not ready, some Macedonians might come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be shamed– to say nothing of you– for being so confident.
2Co 9:5  So I thought it necessary to encourage the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as something you grudgingly give.
2Co 9:6 But consider this: whoever plants minimally will also harvest minimally, and whoever plants amply will also reap amply.

what others think

Paul warned the Corinthians that if they did not make good on their promise to contribute to the Jerusalem relief fund, it would shame him and them. They lived in an honor/shame culture, and it mattered to them what others thought of them.

It also mattered what God thought of them. If they were to scrimp on this charitable act, perhaps God would see to it that others are just as stingy when they have a need. 

It matters what others think of us, because we identify with Jesus. Jesus is a generous giver. It also matters what God thinks of us, because he is a just God, and repays evil, and rewards good.

LORD, show us how to honor you in what we do, and not to shame you or ourselves.