May 8 | Romans 16:1-6

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DAILY READING

Romans 16:1-6

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REFLECTION

Pay it Forward

by Beth Voltmann

Paul was in Corinth when he wrote his epistle to the believers in Rome. Having never met them in person, he shared his passion for the Gospel of Christ. To add a personal touch, he concluded his letter with a list of those he called sisters and brothers, co-workers and friends—the Church. In this register of names, we realize that Paul intimately knew the value of each member of the body of Christ, shoulder to shoulder, serving side by side, "neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor male and female." (Galatians 3:28)

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.” (Romans 16:1-2)

Phoebe’s name and description in Scripture indicate that she was a Gentile believer from the area of Corinth who was known for living her faith generously. Perhaps wealthy, she tirelessly served others with her time and most likely, her treasure. Theologians agree that Phoebe was the likely courier of Paul’s epistle to Rome. Take a glance at the map in your Bible—Corinth to Rome would have been quite a distance for a woman to travel during that era!

• She served with a heart of generosity.

• Paul valued her.

• God used her.

• The Gospel spread.

• The Church grew.

Can you name someone who has blessed you? A person with a heart of generosity? A believer who pours out for others? How might God be asking you to pay it forward? In what way could you bless those who have blessed you? Have you noticed somebody at work, in the neighborhood, or at church who needs a generous welcome? Is there anybody who could use a visit? A little extra help with the monthly bills? Perhaps even the gift of a power washer for a day? Go ahead—bless them. Generosity of spirit is contagious and life-giving.

PRAYER

Father, thank you for the generous gift of your Son, Jesus, and the mercy that you daily pour out to us. May we live “in a way worthy of your people.” May others see our love and generosity and know that we are God’s Church, disciples of Jesus Christ and one in the Spirit. Amen.

May 7| Proverbs 11:24-28

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DAILY READING

Proverbs 11:24-28

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REFLECTION

Purse Strings of our Hearts

by Judy Webb

Here is a glorious paradox. We enrich ourselves by being generous. We impoverish ourselves by laying up treasurers on earth. – Believer’s Bible Commentary

The messages we have been hearing about our money or lack of it has been convicting. I didn't realize before, but 'retail therapy' is a real thing. Now, I know many of us purchase large ticket items for our therapy - new phones, bigger TVs, fancy cars and we find satisfaction in these purchases.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to buy any of these items, but I am finally getting wise to the ways of the advertising world. But if I am honest, when I review my Amazon purchases this year (there are many!) few are for more then $20. But I am still trying to fill a hole with things.

"A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree." (Proverbs 11:28 MSG)

Not everything I see on my TV screen each night is something I need, although the advertisers will tell us differently. I am finally wise enough to recognize when I am being seduced by the wiles of the world. Yes, having cool stuff is fun, but how long does that last? Now that my income is limited because of retirement. I know the value of waiting, of not giving in and recklessly putting all my dreams on a credit card. These dreams fast become nightmares.

I am learning from this series, how to be truly free. It is starting to sink in, that I am so rich and I need to share this wealth. I need to do it without calling attention to myself, but subtly and quietly help someone today. Send a gift card anonymously. Drop groceries off at the door of a single mother. Find creative ways to be generous with the gifts God has given.

"A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)

PRAYER

Father, we have so much to learn about generous living. Once we realize it isn't all about us, our purse strings loosen and we see where there is a need and do what we can to help. Bring us to this understanding. Amen.

May 6 | Luke 6:27-36

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DAILY READING

Luke 6:27-36

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REFLECTION

Giving Like God

by Pr. Dave Mann

This week we are looking in the Scriptures at the many ways God calls us to be generous. This cheerful generosity is to be expressed through gifts of our time, words, skills, and finances. This is indeed the expression of love through our actions.

The classic command is the Golden Rule, which appears in the gospels of Matthew and Luke — "Do to others as you would have them do to you." (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31) This commandment is further strengthened by its context that followers of Jesus are to love their enemies. So, we are to apply this mandate, not only toward our family and friends but also to our enemies.

A similar instruction of our Lord originated in the Old Testament and reappears in the New Testament a total of nine appearances in the Holy Scriptures — "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Lev 19:18; Mt 19:19; 22:39; Mk 12:31, 33; Luke 10:27; Rom 13:9; Gal 5:14; James 2:8) 

The Apostle Paul remembers another saying of Jesus that does not appear in any of the four gospels, nevertheless, the words certainly ring true as coming from the lips of Jesus — ... remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35)

The anonymous author of Hebrews challenges his readers — "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." (Heb 13:6)

I remember sitting in a class about finances, taught by one of our UALC members. He urged the class to develop the habit of being generous with their finances. He was not referring to the practice of tithing, which had been covered earlier, and was taken for granted as the norm. He was referring to being generous toward others directly—without getting any credit from the church, nor with the government as a tax deduction, nor to gain social accolades from other people. This was an encouragement to give, just to be kind, often anonymously. Amazing!

Why give? Don’t we have to be careful not to be taken advantage of by others? Jesus does not seem to be concerned about that. Jesus states in this passage that we are to give to others simply because we are children of the Most High God, who is kind even to the ungrateful and the wicked!

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, you continually seem to find more and more ways of surprising me. I want to be like my heavenly Father. Help me be generous with my time, my skills, my words, and my finances. Aid me to find ways to give and let me not forget to give to people who irritate me, so I grow in becoming like you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.