KEY VERSES
Our desire is not that
others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be
equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what
they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is
equality, as it is
written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who
gathered little did not have too little.” (2 Corinthians 8:13-15)
REFLECTION
Generally when
we read this passage from 2 Corinthians, we think more of what we have that others
could receive from us. But it goes the other way, too! What do others have that
we could receive from them?
If you want to experience more of the abundant life of following Jesus, you need to identify what you lack, what others have in excess, and how you can establish a relationship with them to become recipients of what they have to give to you. Within PEER Servants, we are learning that Jesus' vision of the kingdom of heaven being extended to earth can be a reality based on what we are learning from our Filipino partners. We are learning how to forgive even when it is really difficult from our South African partners. We are learning to be hospitable to foreigners in our midst (regardless of their documentation status) from our Northern Ugandan partners. We are learning to be bolder in our witness from our Nigerian partners. We are learning to trust God even in turbulent times from our Sri Lankan partners. We are learning to live more simply from our Indian partners. We are learning much more about hope from our Haitian partners. We have received much through these partnerships, and we are a richer people as a result.
We have become more effective givers in our partnerships because we have become more effective receivers.
If you want to experience more of the abundant life of following Jesus, you need to identify what you lack, what others have in excess, and how you can establish a relationship with them to become recipients of what they have to give to you. Within PEER Servants, we are learning that Jesus' vision of the kingdom of heaven being extended to earth can be a reality based on what we are learning from our Filipino partners. We are learning how to forgive even when it is really difficult from our South African partners. We are learning to be hospitable to foreigners in our midst (regardless of their documentation status) from our Northern Ugandan partners. We are learning to be bolder in our witness from our Nigerian partners. We are learning to trust God even in turbulent times from our Sri Lankan partners. We are learning to live more simply from our Indian partners. We are learning much more about hope from our Haitian partners. We have received much through these partnerships, and we are a richer people as a result.
We have become more effective givers in our partnerships because we have become more effective receivers.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
- With regards to following Jesus, what are some of the areas in your life in which you struggle?
- What individuals or peoples do you know who appear to be stronger in that area?
- What steps could you take to draw closer to them and make it known you have something to receive from them?
ACTION STEPS FOR THE WEEK
Identify one
person who is strong in an area in which you are weak and approach them this
week to ask them how they have gained victory in that area of their life.
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