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SEPTEMBER 17
that now at this time your abundance may sup- 20 avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in
ply their lack, that their abundance also may sup- this lavish gift which is administered by us—
ply your lack—that there may be equality. As it 21 providing honorable things, not only in the
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is written, “He who gathered much had nothing sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.” 22 And we have sent with them our brother
16 But thanks be to God who puts the same whom we have often proved diligent in many
earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. For things, but now much more diligent, because
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he not only accepted the exhortation, but being of the great confidence which we have in you.
more diligent, he went to you of his own accord. 23 If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my part-
18 And we have sent with him the brother whose ner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if
praise is in the gospel throughout all the church- our brethren are inquired about, they are mes-
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es, and not only that, but who was also chosen sengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.
by the churches to travel with us with this gift, 24 Therefore show to them, and before the
which is administered by us to the glory of the churches, the proof of your love and of our
Lord Himself and to show your ready mind, boasting on your behalf.

DAY 16: How did the Macedonians exemplify freewill giving?
The generosity of the churches of Macedonia that Paul addresses in 2 Corinthians 8:1 was
motivated by God’s grace. Paul did not merely commend those churches for a noble human work,
but instead gave the credit to God for what He did through them. Paul’s reference was to the
churches at Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea (Acts 17:11). This was basically an impoverished
province that had been ravaged by many wars and even then was being plundered by Roman
authority and commerce.
In spite of their difficult circumstances,the churches’joy rose above their pain because of their
devotion to the Lord and the causes of His kingdom.It was through the “abundance of their joy”(v.
2) that it was given despite their “deep poverty.”“Poverty” refers to the most severe type of eco-
nomic deprivation, the kind that caused a person to become a beggar.“Riches of their liberality.”
The Greek word for “liberality” can be translated “generosity” or “sincerity.” It is the opposite of
duplicity or being double-minded.The Macedonian believers were rich in their single-minded,self-
less generosity to God and to others.
In v.3,Paul highlighted 3 elements of the Macedonians’giving which summed up the concept
of freewill giving: 1) “according to their ability.”Giving is proportionate—God sets no fixed amount
or percentage and expects His people to give based on what they have (Luke 6:38; 1 Cor. 16:2);
2) “beyond their ability.”Giving is sacrificial. God’s people are to give according to what they have,
yet it must be in proportions that are sacrificial (Matt. 6:25–34; Mark 12:41–44; Phil. 4:19); and 3)
“freely willing”—literally “one who chooses his own course of action.” Giving is voluntary—God’s
people are not to give out of compulsion, manipulation, or intimidation. Freewill giving has always
been God’s plan (9:6; Gen. 4:2–4; 8:20; Ex. 25:1,2; 35:4,5,21,22; 36:5–7; Num. 18:12; Deut. 16:10,17; 1
Chr. 29:9; Prov. 3:9,10; 11:24; Luke 19:1–8). Freewill giving is not to be confused with tithing, which
related to the national taxation system of Israel (Lev. 27:30) and is paralleled in the New Testament
and the present by paying taxes (Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:6,7).

It will never be rebuilt.
September 17 3 Therefore the strong people will glorify
You;
The city of the terrible nations will fear
You.
Isaiah 25:1–26:21 4 For You have been a strength to the poor,
O LORD, You are my God. A strength to the needy in his distress,
25I will exalt You, A refuge from the storm,
I will praise Your name, A shade from the heat;
For You have done wonderful things; For the blast of the terrible ones is as a
Your counsels of old are faithfulness storm against the wall.
and truth. 5 You will reduce the noise of aliens,
2 For You have made a city a ruin, As heat in a dry place;
A fortified city a ruin, As heat in the shadow of a cloud,
A palace of foreigners to be a city no The song of the terrible ones will be
more; diminished.

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