Paul took careful stewardship of the offerings he was collecting. He boasted about the Macedonian churches as well as the Greek churches. Paul encouraged them to be generous in their giving. Their generosity was to be a sign of their cheerful hearts. It was a sign of their faith in God’s abundant blessings. Their generosity testified to God’s gift:the gift of righteousness given to them in the gospel. It was never only about material blessings, but the harvest of righteousness that was sown in them. They became new creations, and their new life brought about thanksgiving to God.

Paul was collecting an offering, but it was more than just a monetary gift. The gift was a gift of thanksgiving and praise to God. It was not their money but their confession of the gospel of Christ that glorified God. They were Gentiles, but they testified to the surpassing grace of God given to them. They revealed that God’s indescribable gift of salvation was poured out not only on the Jews, but on the Gentiles as well. Their monetary offering became the testimony of the new creation work of the Living God and the Risen Jesus to the church in Jerusalem.
Application: Lord, thank you for the gift of God freely given to me. Use my life as a living offering and as a gospel testimony today.
One Word: Offer yourself as a gospel testimony