Wednesday, 30th October

READING

2 Corinthians 8 verse 8 & 9

MEDITATION

When last did you hear a sermon on a Bible passage and realize something had to change in your life?

As I listen to, and study 2 Corinthians, my mediocrity is constantly challenged.

Chapters 8 and 9 challenge my sacrificial generosity, or should I say lack thereof.

I am a comfortable, privileged white person.  I have never worried about where my next meal will come from.

A few weeks ago I was leaving the gym. The usual car attendant was there.  I was feeling tired and a bit grumpy re our economy, and a recent change in my salary.  I would normally give the car guard R5.  This time I just waved at him.

As I drove off, the thought crossed my mind. Dave, is God’s word having no effect on your life?  I was on the way to the shops to buy some meat and salad, as well as a bottle of wine for dinner.

The car guard would not be able to spend what I would spend on one bottle of wine, for one meal for his family.  What an unloving, thoughtless, selfish person I am.

So, I returned and gave him a twenty, and resolved to at least double what I would give to car guards and petrol pump attendants in future.

Sadly, I still did not take the time to ask him his name.

Could sacrificial generosity and the command to love your neighbour mean that when the economy goes low, we go high?

PRAYER

The Prayer of St. Francis:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may

Not so much seek to be consoled, as to console.

To be understood, as to understand.

To be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

And it is in pardoning that we are pardoned.

And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

PRAYERS for TODAY 

Today we pray for the following 6 things:

• Pray that at CCB We would know and understand Christs sacrificial generosity to us.
• Pray that we at CCB would be moved to greater love and generosity of heart.
• Pray that we would commit ourselves to caring for those who are without, and those who are struggling.
• Pray that we would be seen to be swimming against the tide, being different, being liberal with our love and compassion.
• Pray that we as a church would be set free by the Holy Spirit to support and care for other churches who struggle financially, like Christchurch Hillbrow.
• We continue to thank God for what he is doing among us.