To Give is Human

Re:Verse passage – 2 Corinthians 8:1–9, 2 Corinthians 9:6–11 (day six).

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9

When Paul points the church toward generosity, he doesn’t begin with obligation. He begins with Jesus. Christ’s self-giving life is not only the means of our salvation; it is the restoration of our humanity.

We were created as image bearers, made to reflect a God whose very nature is self-giving love. Sin distorted that image, turning us inward on ourselves. But in Jesus, we see humanity healed. He gives, not reluctantly, but freely. And in doing so, he shows us what it means to truly live.

Generosity, then, is not a loss of life but its fulfillment. To give is not to become less human, but more. When we live generously, with our resources, our time, and our presence, we participate in the life of Christ himself.

Being generous is what it means to be human.

Giving and the Gospel

Re:Verse passage – 2 Corinthians 8:1–9, 2 Corinthians 9:6–11 (day five).
Did you notice that in both of our Re:Verse passages this week that the Gospel is either mentioned or described. Paul wants to teach/tell these believers that there is in fact, a deep and meaningful connection between generous financial giving and the gospel. The Gospel is to be not only understood and received, but in chapter 9 Paul points out that believers should “obey” the Gospel. We obey the gospel through loving actions of sacrifice and service. And generosity expressed through giving, as Paul points out in chapters 8, is also a beautiful picture of the Gospel- Jesus giving up His riches in heaven in order for us to become rich. So, when we give, we obey and portray the greatest generosity ever known!!

Growth

Re:Verse passage – 2 Corinthians 8:1–9, 2 Corinthians 9:6–11 (day four)

When we think about our spiritual growth, certain things come to mind: growing in our faith and trust in God, growing in our knowledge of Scripture and doctrine, developing our spiritual gifts, growing in love for our neighbors and spending more time serving others. All of these are great indicators of spiritual growth, which Paul acknowledges are happening among the Corinthians. He adds another indicator of spiritual growth to this list, though: generosity in finances.

When we think about spiritual growth, finances aren’t usually the first thing to come to mind, but Paul reminds us that the way we steward our money and the way we give to others is very much a reflection of our spiritual life. It’s easy to think of our finances as a separate category, but our life is one integrated whole, of which Jesus demands the entirety. Just as we are to grow in prayer, service, and wisdom, we are to grow in generosity. When we truly understand Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, the ultimate form of generosity, then we will reflect that generosity in every part of our lives, just as the Macedonian Christians model for us here.

We would never say “alright, I now have exactly enough faith,” or “I have enough knowledge of Scripture, I don’t need anymore.” We want to grow in those things more and more for the rest of our lives. In the same way, may we grow in generosity, allowing the Lord to show us more and more ways to give and steward our money according to his purposes.

A Starting Point

Re:Verse passage – 2 Corinthians 8:1–9, 2 Corinthians 9:6–11 (day three)

5and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

In verse five, Paul reminds his readers that before the people of the Macedonian churches gave anything, they first submitted to God and to His will. If they did not start there, I am sure that their giving might not have been so noteworthy or commendable. They first submitted to the Lord and to the work of the Church, allowing God to use them fully for His glory.

The Lord points out here through Paul’s letter that He does not care about the size of what we give. He cares about the attitude of our heart when we give. The churches in Macedonia were commended as an example of how God’s grace abounds and makes up for human limitations that arise (2 Corinthians 12:9). The churches gave faithfully despite their circumstances, and God blessed them with abundant joy.

In trusting and relying on God, the Macedonian churches also allowed for God to provide for them in such a way that they could give beyond their ability. I am by no means a math genius, but I do know that, typically, finances/resources in usually must be greater than finances/resources out. God’s math does not work that way! When we fully trust and rely on God with our finances and resources, it makes room for God to be glorified even more through His provision and work in us.

Now, here’s the tough question for us: where is your heart on giving to the Lord? Have you submitted fully to Him or does a part of you hold back?

Priorities

Re:Verse passage – 2 Corinthians 8:1–9, 2 Corinthians 9:6–11 (day two)
…that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 8:2

We have difficulty prioritizing what is truly important in our society. Faith, for many years now, has been seen almost as a luxury or even a crutch. We often hear the argument that we will come to the church when we have more time, or when we have more need for things like faith. It is the same when it comes to our finances. We will give when we get a bit more ahead, or when the next raise comes, or when we get some debt paid off. You know as well as I do that something will always come along to fill in whatever “extra” is given. Paul is celebrating those believers who have rightly prioritized their giving as a privilege, as an opportunity, as a joy. The Lord has been faithful to you in uncountable ways. Paul’s reminder is that it is not an amount that God is looking for, it is an attitude of worship.

Monday Re:Vlog – 2/2/26

Re:Verse passage – 2 Corinthians 8:1–9, 2 Corinthians 9:6–11 (day one)

Join us as Senior Pastor Chris Johnson, Associate Pastor Aaron Hufty, and Minister Megan Langan walk us through 2 Corinthians 8:1–9, 2 Corinthians 9:6–11  in our Re:Verse Series: “Kingdom Generosity – Stewardship in God’s Economy.”

To watch the Re:Verse Blog, Click Here!

Monday Re:Vlog – 2/2/26

Re:Verse passage – 2 Corinthians 8:1–9, 2 Corinthians 9:6–11 (day one)

Join us as Senior Pastor Chris Johnson, Associate Pastor Aaron Hufty, and Minister Megan Langan walk us through 2 Corinthians 8:1–9, 2 Corinthians 9:6–11  in our Re:Verse Series: “Kingdom Generosity – Stewardship in God’s Economy.”

Due to technical difficulties, the Re:Vlog video will sent out later this morning. 

Gifts > Talents

Re:Verse passage – 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 12:4-8 (day seven)

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:7

If we are honest, we like to talk about ourselves. We are quick to tell people about the things we like and particularly the things we are good at. Much of that is tied to our vocational identity. We are well aware of our talents that attribute to our individual success. Yet, do we even know what our spiritual gifts are? Gifts are so much more important to our identity than even our talents, because it is our gifts that make the biggest impact for the Kingdom. Everyone has talents, but only those who are in the Spirit can receive the manifestation of the Spirit. Because of this, it is entirely possible for a spiritual gift to be the complete opposite of a talent, as the Spirit can manifest in us an ability that was not present before.

Everyone who is in the Spirit will receive a manifestation of the Spirit. Therefore, you have a spiritual gift! What is it/are they? You have already been challenged to take a spiritual  inventory for yourself. Now, I challenge you to tell your Bible Study leader or a pastor at the Church what that gift is. It is not meant to lie dormant. The Spirit manifested a gift in you so that you can be a part of what God is doing and make an impact for the Kingdom now.

Gifts of Belonging

Re:Verse passage – 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 12:4-8 (day six).

(Sorry for the late post! I’ve been at All-Church Retreat enjoying a little “community.”)

The Spirit of God gives gifts in the context of Christian community. Scripture is clear: Jesus didn’t just redeem individuals, He redeemed a people. In a world marked by division, separation, and rivalry, the church bears witness to a different reality. In Christ, we are one body. We are family, not because of shared background, ethnicity, economic status, gender, or season of life, but because of what Jesus has done.

That’s why spiritual gifts never exist in isolation. Their place and purpose are always within the body. This reframes an important question. The primary question is not, “Do I know my spiritual gift?” but “To what degree am I participating in the community Jesus has already secured for me?”

Historically, the church understood this well. In the early centuries, discerning spiritual gifts was not an individual project but a communal one. Gifts were named, affirmed, and stewarded together.

My conviction, more and more, is that we must get back to that kind of community, or as Pastor Chris would say, “deeper relationships.”

Will you join me?

Thinking Properly

Re:Verse passage – 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 12:4-8 (day five).

In our texts this week is Paul’s favorite picture of the church. The body. We see it in Romans, 1 Corinthians, and twice in Ephesians. One of the reasons, is that it helps us think about ourselves properly. See Romans 12:3. If we tend to think more highly of ourselves, the body analogy teaches us that we need each other. We must stay connected because our gifts are to be used with others. If we are prone to think too lowly of ourselves, the image of the body teaches us that others need us. Our gifts are needed for the body to flourish- for others. We all have a part in ministry and mission. So the gifts in the body serve to bring boldness and confidence while at the same time creating humility and submission. Isn’t God’s wisdom incredible? Isn’t life in the Body of Christ powerful and meaningful?