Growing Deeply

a daily scripture guide

Week of October 31November 5

Sunday Sermon

Extravagant Loving - October 30

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 (NRSV)

MONDAY: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 Surprise

The giving of the Corinthian Church was unexpected.
THOUGHT: Recall a time God surprised you with generosity. Recall a time you
surprised someone with your generosity.
TUESDAY: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 Sacrifice
I lived in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Kansas City. However, nearly
every year, our neighborhood was lifted up as the one that gave the most to
the Salvation Army ringers. The generosity of the Corinthians was beyond their
means --- it was a sacrifice.
CONSIDER: Think about paying a bill. Now think about giving to a cause.
Whats the difference in your emotion? Why do you think it so?
WEDNESDAY: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 Excel
Paul encourages them to excel in giving in the same way they excel in faith,
speech, knowledge, eagerness and love.
REFLECTION: How does your giving compare to your faith, speech, knowledge,
eagerness and love?

We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been
granted to the churches of Macedonia; for during a severe ordeal of affliction,
their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of
generosity on their part. For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to
their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege
of sharing in this ministry to the saints and this, not merely as we expected; they
gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us, so that we might
urge Titus that, as he had already made a beginning, so he should also complete
this generous undertaking among you. Now as you excel in everythingin faith, in
speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for youso we want
you to excel also in this generous undertaking.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches
of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

My Notes:

THURSDAY: 1 Timothy 6:6-10 Wealth

Paul ends this passage with a prayer that the people will be guided by the
love of Christ and the insight to live wisely, being positive examples to others.
PRAYER: God, provider, thank you for food and clothing, and heart and mind to
serve and share, for in this is my wealth.
FRIDAY: 1 Timothy 6:6-10 Cant take it with you
There are some statemeents, clichs even, that we ascribe to scripture that
are, in fact, not. However, this sentiment is indeed scripture based.
PRAYER: Reveal to me Lord, what I need to let go of so that I might have
fullness of life, contentment.
SATURDAY: 1 Timothy 6:6-10 Desired treasure
Pirates, we know, get treasure by finding it or stealing it. This treasure in
scripture is one we obtain by giving it away.
THOUGHT: It is so easy to swim in our culture and forget- or never learn- that
some of its ways are opposite to the economy of God.
Read or subscribe to the weekly guide at moumc.org/grow
Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk.