Saturday 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Prayer: O God, thank you for the many gifts you bestow upon us. Even those that we may not know about yet. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

We are more than we seem

(Adapted from Christ in Our Home – daily devotions)

¹⁰ [We are] sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing everything.

Too often we make judgments based upon what we think about how people are equipped for ministry. We think about education, finances, and physical appearance. But, it is important to understand that these are not necessarily for what God has equipped us when it comes to serving others.

Consider the example of a church custodian, who was also a gifted mechanic and could fix anything. People considered these things his gifts of ministry.  However, when the pastor was away, a medical emergency occurred to an elder, and this custodian rushed to the hospital. He showed compassion and patience and listened and prayed with the elder. The elder could not have been more appreciative of his efforts and praised his help to the pastor when he finally arrived. All the people were impressed by the ministry of the custodian and saw him in a new light. He was seen as a man of faith who helped others renew their trust in the healing love of Jesus.

Prayer: “O God, you call me in many ways. Make me ready to do your will. Amen.”

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

6 As we work together with him, we entreat you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. ² For he says,

“At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
    and on a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation! ³ We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, ⁴ but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: in great endurance, afflictions, hardships, calamities, ⁵ beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; ⁶ in purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, ⁷ truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; ⁸ in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors and yet are true, ⁹ as unknown and yet are well known, as dying and look—we are alive, as punished and yet not killed, ¹⁰ as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing everything.

¹¹ We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. ¹² There is no restriction in our affections but only in yours. ¹³ In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.