Today's Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:20-21

Thursday, August 20, 2020

We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift [of money you have given for the Christians in Jerusalem]. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.
— 2 Corinthians 8:20-21
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We want to be generous in helping others in need, especially those who are part of our Christian family. Generosity reflects how deeply God's loving gifts have touched our hearts. At the same time, those who are entrusted with stewardship to lead in this benevolent giving of funds to bless others must carefully heed the example and call of the Apostle Paul. God's leaders must be circumspect in the way they handle funds contributed by God's people for efforts to bless others in Jesus' name. They must take great "pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men."

My Prayer...

Thank you, Father, for your people who are often very generous to help those in need. Thank you for being generous toward us with your blessings. Thank you for entrusting those blessings to us so we can use them for good. At the same time, dear Father, stir us to deal with the charlatans and money grubbers who masquerade as your servants and steal from you, your people, and the needy who need your blessings. May we, both leaders in charge of such gifts and those who generously give them, be honorable and holy in the sight of all as we use these resources to do your work and generously share your grace. In the name of our Lord and Christ, we pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Doing What Is Right
Illustration of 2 Corinthians 8:20-21
Inspirational illustration of 2 Corinthians 8:20-21 -- We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.
Earnest Caregiving
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, to whom all honor is due, Thank you for the earnest care you put into the heart of people like Titus. Thank you for people who respond....."
Depending on God
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious Child of the Father, My people have had to face hostile trials for their faith all throughout history. I'm not talking about the..."

Illustration

Illustration of 2 Corinthians 8:20-21 — We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift [of money you have given for the Christians in Jerusalem]. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, August 20, 2020

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'A Pure Mind' (Ti. 1:15-16)
"Dear Father, Let me have a pure mind, so that all things may be pure to me. For to the corrupt and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Their minds and..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Mark 1:41
"Primeval darkness heard the Almighty fiat, "light be," and straightway light was, and the word of the Lord Jesus is equal in majesty to that ancient....."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Not of the Letter but of the Spirit'
"Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'What Are These Strange Ideas?' (Acts 17:18-21)
"[Paul] also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, "What's..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse