Bible Verse
Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.
Here, you’ll know & learn:
・Verse Context
・Key Words
・References from Other Verses of the Bible
・Main Message
・How to Apply This Verse in Your Life
・How to Further Study the Verse
Today, we're going to explore something that might sound backwards at first - the idea of begging to give money away. Most of us think about giving as something we have to do, like paying bills or taxes. We might feel guilty when the offering plate comes around, or stressed when we hear about church fundraisers. But what if giving could become something we actually fight for the chance to do? What if we saw it as winning the lottery instead of paying a penalty?
There's a beautiful story in the Bible about King David and his people getting ready to build God's temple. When David announced the building project, something amazing happened. The leaders didn't groan or complain about having to give money. Instead, they got so excited that they competed with each other to see who could give the most. They were practically begging David to let them contribute more. David himself gave from his personal treasure, not just the royal funds. The whole community caught this spirit of joyful giving, and they ended up with way more than they needed. When we understand that giving is actually a chance to partner with God in His work, everything changes. Instead of seeing our wallets as something to protect, we start seeing them as tools for joining God's amazing plans.
Read more about David's Temple Offering in 1 Chronicles 29:1-20.
Let's Pray
Heavenly Father,
I come to You knowing that You are always present with me, even when I struggle to feel generous. I confess that I often see giving as a burden instead of a blessing. When I hear about needs at church or see people asking for help, my first thought is usually about what I might lose rather than what I could gain by helping.
Lord, I want to have the same heart that David and his leaders had when they built Your temple. Help me see that when I give, I'm not losing money - I'm gaining the chance to be part of Your work in this world.
I admit that I sometimes hold tightly to my money because I'm afraid there won't be enough for me. Change my heart, God. Show me that You are the one who provides everything I have in the first place.
Help me remember the Macedonians in Paul's letter, who gave even when they were poor and facing hard times. They begged for the chance to help other believers because they understood what an honor it was.
Transform my thinking so that I start looking for ways to give instead of avoiding them. When I see opportunities to be generous, help me get excited instead of worried.
Make me someone who fights for the right to give, who sees generosity as a privilege rather than a problem.
I pray this in the powerful name of Jesus, who gave everything for me.
Amen.
Journaling Prompts
If money were no object and you had unlimited resources, what would be the first three things you would want to fund or support? What does this reveal about your heart and values?
Imagine you're part of David's community, watching the leaders compete to give toward the temple. What emotions would you feel, and would you want to join in or hold back? Why?
When you think about your current giving habits, do you feel more obligation or excitement? What would need to change in your heart for giving to become something you look forward to?
If someone followed you around for a month and watched how you spent your money, what would they conclude about what you value most? How does this align with what you say you believe?
The beautiful truth is that God doesn't need our money, but He invites us to give because it changes us. When we start seeing generosity as a privilege instead of a burden, our whole relationship with money shifts. We begin to understand that every dollar we have is actually a chance to show love, build God's kingdom, and experience the joy that comes from putting others first. As you go through this week, pay attention to the opportunities around you to be generous, and ask God to give you the heart of someone who fights for the right to give.
Until next time,
May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May He make His face shine upon you;
And be gracious to you and give you peace
God Bless!
PrayerForMe.org
If you or a loved one needs prayer, click below to share and receive a personalized devotion and prayer.
Sign Up To Our Newsletter
Loved today's devotional? Don't miss out on future inspiration! Join our growing community of believers by signing up for our newsletter. We'll deliver these uplifting messages straight to your inbox, helping you stay connected and grow in your faith.
P.S. It's free, and we promise to respect your inbox. You can unsubscribe anytime, but we hope you'll stick around for the blessings!