Read 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Review
- What is Paul’s advice for the Corinthian church?
- What did they do the year before?
- How does he encourage them to give?
Reflect
On one of Paul’s previous missionary journeys, he had traveled to Corinth and received generous gifts from the believers there. Now a year later, he was reminding them of the commitment they had made to continue giving. He wanted their earlier eagerness to carry over. The Greek word for “eagerness” can also mean readiness, willingness, or promptness. Paul wasn’t calling these believers to drum up a feeling. He was urging them to be ready, willing, and prompt to follow through on their prior commitments.
So often, it can be easy to say we’ll do something but not follow through. We might be eager to give, but then it dwindles over time as we get further from the heart of what we’re giving toward or life kicks in and tests us. That doesn’t mean it’s time to give up. It means it’s time to stay committed – to continue being ready, willing, and prompt to give when we said we would.
If you’re struggling to stay committed, or perhaps to commit in the first place, bring it to God and ask Him to fill you with an eagerness to give. Acknowledge what might be holding first position over Him in your life, whether a debt payoff, a savings account, or your kids. He’s a generous God, and He has so much in store as you follow Him.
Respond
- Do you find it easy or hard to stay committed to the things you’ve said you would do? What tends to make your eagerness or commitment dwindle?
- Would you say you approach giving from a mindset of readiness, willingness, and/or promptness? How do these words expand your understanding of what “eagerness” means? How could they be lived out in your life?
- When is the last time you talked with God about your giving, asking Him to fill you with eagerness and help you commit or stay committed? How is He drawing you to Him right now?
As you process these questions, use page 77 of your Awaken Guidebook to jot down any key reflections or next steps. Be sure to bring your guidebook to your group! Page 78 is a great place to write down things that you want to process together.