Generous
But me—who am I, and who are these my people, that we should presume to be giving something to you? Everything comes from you; all we’re doing is giving back what we’ve been given from your generous hand. ~ 1 Chronicles 29:14 (MSG)
Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. ~ 2 Corinthians 8:14 (NLT)
KEY IDEA:
Since God has given us plenty we need to be eager to share with those currently in need.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord, for being so generous. I know that I should be generous, too. With you providing for me I don't have to worry about having enough. But I do worry. And that stifles my generosity. Please grant me a worry-free spirit of generosity. I want to honor you by being like you. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
