06-15-2020, 04:05 PM
*CAC LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE.*
*Monday, June 15, 2020*
*TOPIC:*THE ACT OF GENEROSITY*
*Read. Acts. 4:32-37*
32. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35. And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
36. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37. Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
*MEMORISE: Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common (Acts. 4:32)*
*EXPOSITION*
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines generosity as the quality of being kind and understanding, the willingness to give others things that have value. Someone states that being generous and kind, encourages us to perceive others in a more positive light, and fosters a sense of community, and the feeling of interconnectedness.
Being generous also makes us feel better about ourselves. Generosity is both a natural confidence builder and a natural repellent of self hatred.
In Acts 4:32-37, none of the Christians felt that what they had was theirs, exclusively. And so, they were able to give and share, eliminating poverty among them.
They would not let a brother or sister suffer, when others had plenty. This way of living is differ from communism, because the sharing was voluntary, it did not involve all private property, but only as much as was needed. It was not a means to win membership of the public. The spiritual unity and generosity of these early believers attracted others to them. How is it today?
How do you feel about your possessions? We should adopt the attitude that everything we have comes from God, and we are only sharing what is already His. *Yours, O Lord, is greatness, the power and the glory....Both riches and honour comes from You. And you reign over all. For all things come from You. And of Your own we have given You (1 Chro. 29:11-14).* Let others live, laugh and become better through you.
*PRAYER POINTS:*
1. Lord Jesus, give me a heart of kindness and generosity to give to Your work bountifully.
2. The grace to always realise that what I have is exclusively my own, and be able to give to those in need and for Your work, grant me, O Lord in Jesus' name.
3. O Lord, return the spiritual unity and generosity as in the early Church to our Churches today in Jesus' name.
*EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 1 Chronicles. 7-8 & Ephesians. 5*
*God will make our way prosperous as we go this week in Jesus name. Amen............Shalom*
*Monday, June 15, 2020*
*TOPIC:*THE ACT OF GENEROSITY*
*Read. Acts. 4:32-37*
32. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35. And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
36. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37. Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
*MEMORISE: Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common (Acts. 4:32)*
*EXPOSITION*
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines generosity as the quality of being kind and understanding, the willingness to give others things that have value. Someone states that being generous and kind, encourages us to perceive others in a more positive light, and fosters a sense of community, and the feeling of interconnectedness.
Being generous also makes us feel better about ourselves. Generosity is both a natural confidence builder and a natural repellent of self hatred.
In Acts 4:32-37, none of the Christians felt that what they had was theirs, exclusively. And so, they were able to give and share, eliminating poverty among them.
They would not let a brother or sister suffer, when others had plenty. This way of living is differ from communism, because the sharing was voluntary, it did not involve all private property, but only as much as was needed. It was not a means to win membership of the public. The spiritual unity and generosity of these early believers attracted others to them. How is it today?
How do you feel about your possessions? We should adopt the attitude that everything we have comes from God, and we are only sharing what is already His. *Yours, O Lord, is greatness, the power and the glory....Both riches and honour comes from You. And you reign over all. For all things come from You. And of Your own we have given You (1 Chro. 29:11-14).* Let others live, laugh and become better through you.
*PRAYER POINTS:*
1. Lord Jesus, give me a heart of kindness and generosity to give to Your work bountifully.
2. The grace to always realise that what I have is exclusively my own, and be able to give to those in need and for Your work, grant me, O Lord in Jesus' name.
3. O Lord, return the spiritual unity and generosity as in the early Church to our Churches today in Jesus' name.
*EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 1 Chronicles. 7-8 & Ephesians. 5*
*God will make our way prosperous as we go this week in Jesus name. Amen............Shalom*