Have you noticed how, as children grow and mature in awareness of surroundings, and of differences in other people, in happenings, in preferences, etc., they often become curious little ‘question boxes’?
I just wonder and expect that that’s the way God might think of me and maybe you too. I’m so glad He gave us the invitation to “come and reason together”.
It seems that somewhere in every Scripture text and it’s context there are always questions that somehow relate to our relationship with God, the gospel and importantly what’s happening in human ‘hearts’—yes, MY heart.
When I opened the ‘question box’ for today’s Bible Experience the first question was, “Am I a cheerful giver?” The next question that occurred to me was, “Do I have to be reminded to be a giving person?” And, “What blessings failed to flow to a needy person because giving was withheld?”
I have a daughter who loves to give gifts, mostly small things but sometimes things that I’m sure are done with great sacrifice. It just appears to be her ‘love language’. It seems not to matter who the recipient is.
Another question in the ‘box’ says, “What should a Christ-like, principled response be if one’s manner of being or expression is judged or questioned by another person?” Doubtless, there is no single answer to a question like this. You,-- you-- and you may all suggest strikingly different responses and they may all have good merit. Apostle Paul had this challenge. Perhaps his response was the best for him in his time and place. If you or I face circumstances that place us in a similar position, may I suggest, take it first to God in prayer, then a non-defensive, one-on-one conversation could dispel fears, invite mutual acceptance and give glory to God.
In Psalm 3, King David expressed the assurance that whatever questions were in his ‘box’, his answers would come from the Lord and he had no need to fear. Lord, bless all of us who bear Your name, with a spontaneous and generous giving heart and the grace to contemplate how to turn a judgement or criticism into an opportunity for growth into more Christlikeness.
Carl Bankes
has been a member at Hood View SDA church since 1970. He is married to his best friend, Barbara Janzig, his mentor, inspiration and birding partner since 1984. He has also been a PACS volunteer since 2006. He is a general caretaker of house, yard, and cars, and has gone on short-term mission trips to Fiji and Cuba.
The Word of Promise audio Bible is used by permission. For more information and to purchase the complete audio Bible go to https://www.wordofpromiseapp.com/.
2 Corinthians 9
Administering the Gift
1 Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; 2 for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority. 3 Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready; 4 lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting. 5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.
The Cheerful Giver
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:
“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 10
The Spiritual War
1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
Reality of Paul’s Authority
7 Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s. 8 For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed— 9 lest I seem to terrify you by letters. 10 “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” 11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present.
Limits of Paul’s Authority
12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; 15 not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, 16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment.
17 But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” 18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
Psalm 3
The Lord Helps His Troubled People
A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.
1 Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!
Many are they who rise up against me.
2 Many are they who say of me,
“There is no help for him in God.” Selah
3 But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
4 I cried to the Lord with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
5 I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around.
7 Arise, O Lord;
Save me, O my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord.
Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah