2 Corinthians 8:5 “And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.”
The background of 2 Corinthians 8:5 has the Apostle Paul holding up Macedonian believers as examples of generosity to the Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 8 begins, “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.”
Having shared about the willingness to give above and beyond what they could really afford to give the Apostle Paul now makes one of the most powerful statements one can make about a person or a group of people as he tells how they made Jesus first, stating that “They first gave themselves to the Lord.” Yes, they gave money but first and foremost, they gave themselves to the Lord.
Their first priority was for Jesus to be their first priority!
Have you considered all that Jesus did to give you life? He died and then arose that He might give you abundant life now and eternal life later! Have you in turn given Him your life? Romans 12:1 speaks of presenting ourselves to the Lord. Have you made a present of yourself and presented yourself to Jesus? Has there been a time in your life when you said, “HERE I AM, LORD?”
Continue Strong with Jesus First,
And remember to DATE the Word