For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
2 Cor. 7
I briefly mentioned yesterday that we sometimes cause our own suffering in this life due to our lack of Godly wisdom. Paul touched on that same thought in this chapter in his comments regarding grief. He said, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death.” (2 Cor. 7:10). Paul made this comment because of his recent confrontation with the Corinthian church.
Unfortunately, confrontation is a part of life. Avoiding it doesn’t resolve anything, nor does it do anybody any favors. The critical thing with confrontation, however, is the goal in it. As Christians, our goal in confrontation should always be reconciliation, not just between us and those we confront, but, more importantly, between that person and God. Confronting someone to justify ourselves causes that worldly grief that Paul mentioned. Nothing good can come of it. If, however, we confront that person with the goal of pointing them back toward God, the resulting grief might just lead that person to repentance. That kind of confrontation is not just good, but necessary.
2 Cor. 8-9
I need to rethink riches and wealth. I am not rich because of what I have but, rather, because of what I give. And abundance of possessions does not produce wealth; an abundance of generosity does. Remember that upside-down kingdom I mentioned yesterday? Nothing is as it seems. What the world sees as loss, we know is really gain. And what leads the world to despair produces joy and gratitude in us.
I am not a gold digger or fortune seeker by any means. Yet I wonder if I truly grasp the joy of generous living. If I really understood true riches and wealth, I think I would experience a lot more of that eagerness and zeal Paul spoke of in this letter. I would desire to act on the truth that physical riches and wealth are merely a seed God gives us to sow in order to reap what really matters. And I would be secure in the assurance Paul gave. “And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8).