Daily Devotional--8/9/2010

Philippians 2: 25-30

²⁵But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. ²⁶For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. ²⁷Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. ²⁹Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, ³⁰because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

II Corinthians 9:6-8

⁶Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Epaphroditus served the Lord by caring for Paul, almost to the point of death.

• Can you think of a time that your service to another caused personal pain or loss?
• This kind of serving is sacrificial. What is different about giving out of your excess as opposed to giving out of your need?
• It’s not just about serving. (You can serve with a bad attitude.) What does II Cor. 9:6-8 say about giving?