the generosity package

Posted on November 10, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky devotions pics November 2017 (10)devotional post # 2196

2 Corinthians 9:7-9

2Co 9:7  Each one should give as he has decided in his heart, not out of guilt or from fear, because God loves a happy giver.
2Co 9:8  And God is able to richly bless you in all kinds of ways, so that having all your needs supplied in all things at all times, you may be rich in every good work.
2Co 9:9  Just like what is written, “He has contributed generously, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

the generosity package

Paul quotes from Psalm 112:9 here. He was using the quote as a footnote to the entire psalm, which lays out thePaul’s appeal to the Corinthians resonates deeply with the portrait of the righteous person in Psalm 112. That psalm describes not merely isolated acts of goodness but an entire pattern of life shaped by reverence for God and generosity toward others. When Paul urges the Corinthians to give freely to the Jerusalem relief effort, he is inviting them to step into that pattern. Their generosity would not be an isolated gesture; it would be one expression of a life aligned with the righteousness God delights to bless.

Psalm 112 paints a picture of the long-term fruit that flows from such a life. The righteous person’s family becomes prominent, not through worldly ambition but through the stability and honor that accompany a life rooted in God’s ways. Wealth and riches fill his house, not as a guarantee of luxury but as a testimony that God provides abundantly for those who open their hands to others. Darkness does not overwhelm him; seasons of confusion, grief, or uncertainty are followed by light because God guides the upright with clarity and hope.

The psalm also promises vindication. When accusations arise or motives are questioned, the righteous person is not left to defend himself alone. God brings truth to light. Strength is another mark of this life. Hard times do not crush him; he remains steady because his heart is anchored in trust. Honor follows him as well. He becomes a leader whose influence is respected, not because he seeks prominence but because his character commands it.

Generosity is woven throughout this portrait. The righteous person “scatters abroad” his gifts, giving freely and with confidence that God will sustain him. This is not the whole of righteousness, but it is an essential part of it. A life shaped by God’s character cannot remain closed-fisted. Giving becomes both a reflection of God’s grace and a means by which God continues to bless.

Paul’s message to the Corinthians echoes this psalmic vision. Their contribution to the relief fund would not merely meet a need; it would align them with the righteous pattern God honors. Their generosity would bear fruit in their community, their reputation, their spiritual strength, and their relationship with God. In stepping into this act of giving, they would be stepping into the life Psalm 112 celebrates—a life marked by trust, stability, honor, and the enduring blessing of God.

LORD, teach us to do right, including doing right by our giving.

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what others think

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky devotions pics November 2017 (9)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 understood the social dynamics of Corinth as clearly as he understood its theology. In that world, honor and shame were not private emotions but public currencies. Reputation shaped influence, relationships, and even economic opportunity. When Paul told the Macedonians and others that Achaia was ready and eager to give, he was placing confidence in the Corinthians’ integrity. If they failed to follow through, the embarrassment would fall not only on them but also on him, because he had spoken so highly of their readiness. His reminder is not a threat but a sober recognition of how their culture worked. Honor mattered, and failing to keep a public promise would stain the reputation of the church in Corinth.

Yet Paul’s concern reached deeper than cultural expectations. The Corinthians lived before the face of God, and divine evaluation mattered far more than human opinion. If they withheld generosity when the need was clear and the opportunity was present, they would be acting contrary to the character of the God who had poured out grace upon them. Paul hints at a principle woven throughout Scripture: the measure used toward others becomes the measure used toward oneself. A community that refuses to share its abundance may find that, in its own hour of need, others respond with equal reluctance. This is not mechanical karma but the moral order of a just God who shapes human relationships according to his own righteousness.

Their generosity—or lack of it—also reflected directly on Christ. Believers bore his name, and their conduct shaped how outsiders perceived him. Jesus revealed himself as the one who gives freely, who empties himself for the sake of others, who feeds the hungry and welcomes the poor. When his people act with open hands, they display his character. When they act with tight fists, they obscure it. The Corinthians’ response to the Jerusalem collection would either confirm or contradict the gospel they proclaimed.

Paul’s appeal therefore rests on two intertwined realities. The watching world forms impressions of Christ through the behavior of his followers, and the God who sees in secret weighs motives and actions with perfect justice. Generosity honors both. It preserves the integrity of the church’s witness and aligns the believer with the self-giving heart of God. In this moment, the Corinthians were invited to let their actions match their confession, to let grace shape their reputation, and to trust that the God who rewards good would not overlook their faithfulness.

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

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prove me right

Posted on November 8, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky devotions pics November 2017 (8)devotional post # 2194

2 Corinthians 9:1-3

2Co 9:1  In one sense, it is redundant for me to write to you about this service to the saints,
2Co 9:2  because I know how eager you are; I brag about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your fervor has stirred up most of them.
2Co 9:3  But I am sending the brothers so that our bragging about you may not prove empty concerning this project, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be.

prove me right

Paul had spoken confidently to other congregations about the generosity of the believers in Achaia. He had held them up as an example of readiness and goodwill, assuring others that the Corinthians were prepared to participate in the relief effort for the saints in need. That public confidence now becomes the backdrop for a gentle pastoral nudge. Paul is not manipulating them, nor is he shaming them. He is simply reminding them that their earlier eagerness had created an expectation, and now the moment has arrived to fulfill it. Words of commitment had been spoken; now the opportunity has come to turn those words into action.

The need in Jerusalem was real and pressing. Poverty, famine, and persecution had placed heavy burdens on the believers there. The collection was not a theoretical exercise in charity but a concrete expression of solidarity within the body of Christ. Paul frames the moment as a test of sincerity. Christian faith is confessed with the mouth, but it is authenticated by deeds that reflect the character of Christ. Love for neighbor is not merely an idea to be admired; it is a calling that demands tangible expression when circumstances require it.

The Corinthians had been enthusiastic at the beginning. They had spoken of their desire to help, and their reputation for readiness had spread. But enthusiasm must mature into follow-through. Paul’s reminder is pastoral rather than confrontational. He appeals to their sense of integrity, their desire to honor Christ, and their awareness that the gospel calls believers to embody the generosity they proclaim. Christianity is indeed a profession, but it is not a profession of words alone. It is a profession of allegiance to a Lord who gave himself completely, and therefore it must be demonstrated in acts that mirror his self-giving love.

The moment of giving becomes a moment of truth. It reveals whether the heart has been shaped by grace or merely stirred by emotion. It shows whether love remains an abstract sentiment or becomes a lived reality. Paul’s reminder invites the Corinthians to align their actions with their confession, to let their generosity confirm the testimony he has already shared about them, and to allow the grace of God to flow through them to those who are suffering. In doing so, they would not only meet a need but also display the authenticity of their faith and the unity of the church across regions and cultures.

LORD, prepare us for proving our faith in you, and our faithfulness to you and to each other.

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I like to prove it

Posted on November 7, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky devotions pics November 2017 (7)devotional post # 2193

2 Corinthians 8:22-24

2Co 8:22  But with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found eager to accomplish many tasks, but who is now more eager than ever because of his great confidence in you.
2Co 8:23  As for Titus, he is my partner and coworker in your region. And as for our brothers, they are missionaries from the churches, shining with Christ’s brightness.
2Co 8:24  So prove to the churches that you love them, and show these men that our claims about you are true.

I like to prove it

Paul understood the difference between having a reputation and having a proven reputation. A reputation can be built on words, impressions, or past associations. A proven reputation is demonstrated through consistent action. That distinction lies at the heart of his appeal to the Corinthians. They had spoken warmly about their commitment to the mission. They had expressed affection for Paul and his team. They had claimed solidarity with the wider church. But Paul wanted more than verbal affirmation. He wanted their actions to confirm the reality of their partnership.

The arrival of the missionary delegation in Corinth would provide exactly that opportunity. These men were not strangers. They represented the missionary band that had first brought the gospel to Corinth. Their presence would be a tangible reminder of the relationship the Corinthians claimed to value. By receiving them well, listening to their counsel, praying with them, and supporting the needs they presented, the Corinthians could demonstrate that their loyalty to the mission was genuine.

Paul’s point is simple but penetrating: it means little to say, “These are our missionaries,” if there is no practical support behind the statement. Missions is not upheld by slogans or sentiment. It is upheld by believers who stand behind the missionaries they claim as their own. Support is shown through hospitality, prayer, financial partnership, and a willingness to receive instruction. These actions prove that the relationship is real, not symbolic.

The missionary team, for its part, would also be proving something by coming to Corinth. Their visit would show that they had not abandoned the Corinthians, that they still valued them, and that they still considered them part of the larger work of God. The relationship was mutual. Both sides had the opportunity to affirm their unity in the gospel.

Paul’s emphasis on a proven reputation reminds the church that missions is a partnership, not a performance. It is a shared labor in which both the sending church and the missionary team demonstrate their commitment through concrete acts of love and support. Words matter, but actions reveal the truth. A proven reputation is formed when believers consistently show up, stand with their missionaries, and invest in the work that advances the kingdom of God.

LORD, show us how to prove our reputations.

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mature money management

Posted on November 6, 2017 by Jefferson Vann
marmsky devotions pics November 2017 (6)

devotional post # 2192

2 Corinthians 8:20-21

2Co 8:20  We are being careful to do this; we don’t want anyone to criticize us about this large amount that we are transporting,
2Co 8:21  because we want to do what is right — not only as the Lord sees it, but also as a man might see it.

mature money management

Paul could easily have taken personal control of the relief funds. As the head of the missionary team, entrusted with transporting the collection, no one would have questioned his authority to carry large sums and distribute them as he saw fit. Yet he deliberately chose not to handle the money alone. Instead, he delegated the responsibility to a group of men who were both trustworthy and publicly recognized by the churches. This decision reflects a deep maturity and a practical wisdom shaped by years of ministry experience.

Paul understood that even the appearance of impropriety can damage the credibility of the gospel. Handling significant amounts of money without accountability would have created unnecessary suspicion. It could have opened the door to accusations, misunderstandings, or doubts about motives. Paul refused to allow anything—even the faintest shadow—to compromise the integrity of the mission. By involving a team approved by the churches, he ensured transparency. Everyone knew who was carrying the funds, who was overseeing the process, and who was responsible for delivering the relief. Nothing was hidden, and nothing depended on the reputation of a single man.

This approach protected the purpose of the mission. The offering was meant to express unity, compassion, and shared responsibility among the churches. If Paul had acted alone, the collection might have been perceived as his personal project or as something detached from the wider body of Christ. By delegating the task to a trusted group, he reinforced the truth that this was the church caring for the church. The process itself became a testimony to the unity and integrity of the believers.

Paul’s decision also avoided the appearance of evil. Even though he was above reproach, he knew that wise leadership does not merely avoid wrongdoing; it avoids situations that could be misinterpreted. His choice demonstrates a humility that refuses unnecessary power and a discernment that values accountability. It shows that spiritual leadership is not only about preaching and teaching but also about stewarding practical responsibilities in a way that honors Christ.

In this, Paul models a principle that remains vital: the mission is too important to be jeopardized by careless handling of resources. Integrity in the small, practical matters strengthens the witness of the church and preserves the credibility of its message.

LORD, help us to make decisions which protect us from potential conflicts, and keep us focused on our primariy mission.

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church business

Posted on November 5, 2017 by Jefferson Vann
marmsky devotions pics November 2017 (5)

devotional post # 2191

2 Corinthians 8:18-19

2Co 8:18  Accompanying him we are sending that brother who is famous among all the churches for his proclamation of the gospel.
2Co 8:19  And not only for that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being accomplished by us, to demonstrate the brightness of the Lord himself and to show our integrity.

church business

Paul understood that one of the subtle dangers in missions work is the temptation to treat it as something separate from the life and governance of the church. When that happens, missions begins to look like a private enterprise—something carried out by a few gifted individuals rather than the shared responsibility of the whole body. Paul wanted to avoid that misunderstanding entirely. For that reason, he made sure that the collection of relief funds was handled by people who were already recognized, trusted, and appointed by the churches themselves. Their involvement communicated that this was not Paul’s personal project; it was the church acting as the church.

By involving representatives known to the congregations, Paul reinforced the truth that missions business is church business. The relief offering was not an outside initiative or a side ministry. It was an expression of the unity of the body of Christ, a practical demonstration that believers in one region were responsible for the well‑being of believers in another. The process of collecting and distributing funds needed to reflect that unity. Transparency, accountability, and shared participation were essential, not because Paul feared accusations, but because he wanted the churches to see that the work belonged to them.

Anything that suggests a separation between missions and the church’s own life sends the wrong message. It implies that missions is optional, peripheral, or the domain of specialists. Paul’s approach teaches the opposite. Missions flows from the heart of the church. It is rooted in the church’s worship, sustained by the church’s prayers, funded by the church’s generosity, and carried out by people the church recognizes and supports. When missions is visibly connected to the church’s structures and leadership, believers understand that they are part of the work, not spectators to it.

Paul’s method also protected the integrity of the offering. By using trusted representatives, he ensured that the funds were handled honorably and that no suspicion could arise about motives or management. This was not only wise but pastoral. It strengthened confidence, encouraged participation, and kept the focus on the true purpose of the collection: meeting the needs of suffering believers and glorifying God through shared love.

In this way, Paul demonstrated that missions is not an add‑on to the church’s identity. It is woven into the fabric of who the church is and what the church does.

LORD, keep us from fostering an unhealthy disconnect. Show us how to stay close to our churches as we serve them — and you.

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very eager volunteering

Posted on November 4, 2017 by Jefferson Vann
marmsky devotions pics November 2017 (4)

devotional post # 2190

2 Corinthians 8:16-17

2Co 8:16  But thanks be to God, who placed into the heart of Titus the same eager concern I have for you.
2Co 8:17  Because he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very eager he is volunteering to go to you.

very eager volunteering

As I originally wrote this, I was beginning several months of home service one morning. I was jet-lagged, had just moved into a new house and neighborhood the day before, had to get up early and find a service station that serves coffee, and then I proceeded to spill the coffee all over myself, so I had to change. I did not feel like Titus did — eager to go to new places and tell them about our mission and its mission. But I wanted to feel that way.

It is often surprising how difficult it can be to carry out something deeply desired. A calling may be clear, the intention sincere, and the heart willing, yet the obstacles rise like mountains. Fatigue, discouragement, unexpected resistance, and the sheer weight of daily responsibilities can make even the most cherished tasks feel impossible. Desire alone does not remove hardship. Even the strongest commitments can be tested by circumstances that drain strength and cloud vision.

In moments like these, it helps to remember the quiet examples of people such as Titus and the unnamed workers who appear throughout Paul’s letters. They were not superhuman. They faced their own limitations, pressures, and fears. Titus had traveled long distances, navigated tense church situations, and carried emotional burdens on behalf of others. The brothers who accompanied him dealt with the same uncertainties and dangers that Paul faced. None of them possessed unlimited strength. None of them moved through ministry untouched by hardship.

Yet they kept going. They continued their work not because the path was easy, but because the mission mattered. Their perseverance was not the result of perfect conditions but of steady faithfulness. They pressed forward even when tired. They fulfilled their responsibilities even when discouraged. They carried messages, delivered reports, encouraged churches, and supported Paul’s ministry because they believed that obedience was worth the cost.

Their example becomes a quiet encouragement. It reminds believers that perseverance is not about having ideal circumstances or boundless energy. It is about continuing the work entrusted by God, even when strength feels thin. It is about recognizing that others around us—people seen every day—are also carrying burdens, facing obstacles, and yet choosing faithfulness. Their endurance becomes a testimony that the work can be done, not because the workers are strong, but because God sustains those who keep moving forward.

Remembering such examples helps reframe personal struggles. The obstacles do not mean the calling is mistaken. The difficulty does not mean the desire is misplaced. It simply means that faithfulness requires endurance. And endurance grows when the eyes are lifted to those who walk the same road, quietly pressing on, trusting that God supplies what is lacking and strengthens what is weak.

LORD, give us the heart of Titus. We want to serve you, and we want to want to serve you.

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helping without hurting

Posted on November 3, 2017 by Jefferson Vann
marmsky devotions pics November 2017 (3)

devotional post # 2189

2 Corinthians 8:12-15

2Co 8:12 Because if the willingness is there, it is acceptable based on what a person has, not based on what he does not have.
2Co 8:13 Because I do not mean that others should be relieved and you burdened, instead, that as a matter of fairness
2Co 8:14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may later supply your need, that there may be fairness.
2Co 8:15 Like what is written, “Whoever gathered a lot had nothing left over, and whoever gathered a little had no lack.”

helping without hurting

Paul and his team had been entrusted with the delicate task of gathering relief funds for suffering believers. It was a ministry of compassion, but also one that required wisdom. When he explained the purpose of the collection to the Corinthians, he made it clear that the goal was not to create a permanent financial burden or establish a kind of church tax. The intention was far simpler: to bring balance. At that moment, other Christians were experiencing severe hardship, while the Corinthians enjoyed relative abundance. The offering was a way for the body of Christ to care for its own, ensuring that no part suffered alone while another part prospered.

Paul emphasized that this was not meant to become a ritual test of generosity. He was not setting up a system in which the Corinthians would be judged annually on how much they gave. He understood human nature well enough to know that giving can easily become distorted—either into prideful display or into reluctant obligation. Neither reflects the heart of Christ. The collection was a response to a specific need, not a permanent levy. It was an expression of love, not a mechanism of control.

He also reminded them that circumstances can change. The Corinthians might one day find themselves in need of relief. Prosperity is not guaranteed, and suffering is not selective. Today’s giver may become tomorrow’s recipient. This mutuality is part of what binds the church together. Generosity is not a one‑directional flow but a shared rhythm of giving and receiving as needs arise.

Paul’s caution about indiscriminate giving reflects pastoral realism. Not every need should be met in the same way, and not every request for help is wise to fulfill. Giving without discernment can create dependency, foster irresponsibility, or even harm the very people one intends to help. Paul’s approach avoids both extremes: he neither withholds compassion nor encourages unwise charity. Instead, he calls for thoughtful generosity—generosity that meets real needs, strengthens the church, and reflects the character of Christ.

In this balanced vision, giving becomes an act of stewardship rather than sentiment, a way of participating in God’s care for his people without creating burdens that hinder rather than heal.

LORD, show us how to help others in need without hurting them by creating long-term dependence.

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matching gifts

Posted on November 2, 2017 by Jefferson Vann
marmsky devotions pics November 2017 (2)

devotional post # 2188

2 Corinthians 8:9-11

2Co 8:9 Because you are aware of how our Lord Jesus Christ blessed us, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his becoming poor you might become rich.
2Co 8:10 And in this matter I give my opinion: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to want to do it.
2Co 8:11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your eagerly desiring it may be matched by your completing it from what you have.

matching gifts

Paul urged the Corinthians to follow through on their earlier desire to give, not because he doubted their sincerity, but because he understood how easily good intentions fade when not acted upon. He reminded them that completing this act of generosity would not only meet a real need but would also shape their own spiritual character. Giving, in Paul’s understanding, is never merely about transferring resources; it is about participating in the life of Christ. It is a practice that forms the heart, trains the will, and aligns the believer with the pattern of the gospel.

Paul anchors this encouragement in the example of Christ himself. Christ embraced the greatest descent imaginable. Though rich in divine glory, he willingly took on human poverty by entering the world as one of us. He did not cling to the privileges of heaven but laid them aside for the sake of those who could offer nothing in return. His incarnation was the ultimate “pay cut,” a voluntary surrender of status, comfort, and honor so that humanity might be enriched with salvation. This act becomes the model for Christian generosity. Giving is not about calculating what remains after personal needs are met; it is about imitating the self‑giving love of the Savior.

For the Corinthians, completing their offering would be a way of embodying this Christlike pattern. It would demonstrate that the grace they had received was now bearing fruit in their lives. Paul wanted them to see that generosity is not a burden but a blessing, not a loss but a participation in the very heart of God. When believers give, they step into the rhythm of divine love—a love that moves outward, seeks the good of others, and finds joy in sacrifice.

Paul’s encouragement also carries a pastoral wisdom. He knows that spiritual growth often requires concrete action. Intentions alone do not transform the heart; obedience does. By urging the Corinthians to finish what they had begun, he is guiding them into a deeper experience of grace. Their giving would strengthen their faith, deepen their unity with other believers, and reflect the character of Christ to the world.

In this way, Paul presents generosity not as an obligation but as an opportunity—an opportunity to become more like the One who gave everything for the sake of his people.

LORD, make us eager to love as you loved, by sacrificial giving out of compassion.

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success markers

Posted on November 1, 2017 by Jefferson Vann
marmsky devotions pics (of Hamilton NZ) August 2017 (9)

devotional post # 2187

2 Corinthians 8:5-8

2Co 8:5 and this did not happen as we expected it to, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then –because it was what God wants — to us.
2Co 8:6 For this purpose, we urged Titus that just like he had started, so he should complete among you this blessing.
2Co 8:7 But since you succeed in everything– in believing, in speaking, in knowing, in every kind of enthusiasm, and in being loved by us– make sure that you succeed in this blessing also.
2Co 8:8 I am not saying this as a command, but to prove that your love also is genuine compared to the enthusiasm of others.

success markers

Paul’s report about the Macedonian churches becomes the backdrop for a gentle but compelling exhortation to Corinth. Paul and his team had expected generosity from Macedonia, but what they witnessed surpassed anything they imagined. These believers, already pressed by hardship, gave with a freedom and eagerness that revealed the depth of their transformation in Christ. Their giving was not coerced, not calculated, and not conditioned on the severity of the need. It was the spontaneous overflow of hearts reshaped by grace.

Because of this, Paul turns to the Corinthians and urges them to participate in the same grace. The appeal is not rooted in guilt or comparison but in the nature of genuine discipleship. Giving is not merely a financial act; it is a spiritual indicator. It reveals whether the gospel has taken root deeply enough to reshape priorities, affections, and loyalties. Paul is not asking the Corinthians to give because the Jerusalem believers are desperate, though their need was real. He is asking them to give because generosity is one of the fruits of a mature and healthy church.

Paul’s understanding of mission success is broader than conversion alone. A mission is not complete when people merely profess faith. It is complete when those believers begin to live out the implications of that faith. Paul identifies several markers: when the mission target believes the gospel, when it begins to speak its testimony, when it grows in knowledge of the Lord and his word, and when it expresses Christ’s love through sacrificial giving. These elements together form a picture of a church that has moved from infancy to maturity.

Generosity, then, becomes a visible sign that the gospel has taken hold. It shows that believers have embraced the character of Christ, who gave himself freely. It demonstrates that they understand their place within the larger body of Christ. It reflects a heart that has been liberated from self‑preservation and opened to the needs of others. When a church reaches this point, Paul can look at the mission work and say that it has borne its intended fruit.

In calling the Corinthians to give, Paul is inviting them into the fullness of Christian maturity. He is not demanding payment; he is urging participation in grace. The Macedonians had discovered the joy of this grace, and Paul longs for Corinth to discover it as well.

LORD, help us to succeed in everything, including giving to express your compassionate love.

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