Day 8 - Grace of Giving
14 Days of Prayer and Fasting
Grace of Giving
Monday – Day 8
Thought for Today:
“It is more blessed to give than to receive!” Do you agree with that statement? If you say yes, let me ask you a follow-up question: “Do you believe that it is a greater blessing to give than to receive?” Again, if your answer is yes, may I ask one more question: “Does your lifestyle reflect that you believe it is more blessed to give than to receive?”
These words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” are attributed to Jesus Himself. Jesus said this, so the deeper question is: “Do you believe what Jesus said about giving?” This is not meant to guilt any of us; it’s simply to ask us a sincere question and see whether our giving shows that we believe it is more blessed to give than to receive. If I believe that giving is better than receiving, then my focus will be on my giving, not on my getting!
The good news is, we have received grace for everything we need and everything required as followers of Jesus. We have been given grace for forgiveness, grace that empowers, grace for service, grace to forgive others, grace to reach, grace to build community, grace to endure tough days, and grace for giving generously.
There is grace available through the power of the Holy Spirit to be a generous person. Paul admonishes the church in Corinth to excel in the grace of giving, just as they excel in other giftings. He reminds them of Jesus' generosity: although He was rich, He became poor for our sake, so that we might become rich through His poverty. What we have received from Christ cannot be measured in monetary value; it far exceeds any kind of wealth we might imagine. Christ’s poverty caused paupers to become princes, orphans to become children, beggars to become kings, and outcasts to become rulers.
When we grasp the measure of Jesus’ sacrifice, it far outweighs anything we can give in return. Generosity becomes an automatic response to the unfathomable grace poured out for us. Generosity is not a demand or a forced action; it is simply a response to the incredible love shown through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection! There should be no group more generous than the Body of Christ — a generosity that’s not forced or coerced, but willingly and freely given from hearts filled with gratitude to our Savior.
If you struggle with generosity, spend a little more time at the Cross of Christ. You may need to hear His words more clearly: “That it is more blessed to give than to receive.” The good news of Jesus is free for everyone, yet it cost Jesus His life. The good news of God’s grace is freely accessible, but it takes resources to reach all the world and share it. Decide today to be a generous person in all ways, including with your finances.
Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you with the grace of giving, then allow God to surprise you in miraculous ways with how He will provide for you.
Verses to Pray and Meditate on:
Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you. “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself. “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them.
Acts 20:31-36 (NLT)
Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it.
2 Corinthians 8:7-10 (NLT)
So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!
2 Corinthians 9:12-15 (NLT)
Prayer Focus:
Grace of Giving
Monday – Day 8
Thought for Today:
“It is more blessed to give than to receive!” Do you agree with that statement? If you say yes, let me ask you a follow-up question: “Do you believe that it is a greater blessing to give than to receive?” Again, if your answer is yes, may I ask one more question: “Does your lifestyle reflect that you believe it is more blessed to give than to receive?”
These words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” are attributed to Jesus Himself. Jesus said this, so the deeper question is: “Do you believe what Jesus said about giving?” This is not meant to guilt any of us; it’s simply to ask us a sincere question and see whether our giving shows that we believe it is more blessed to give than to receive. If I believe that giving is better than receiving, then my focus will be on my giving, not on my getting!
The good news is, we have received grace for everything we need and everything required as followers of Jesus. We have been given grace for forgiveness, grace that empowers, grace for service, grace to forgive others, grace to reach, grace to build community, grace to endure tough days, and grace for giving generously.
There is grace available through the power of the Holy Spirit to be a generous person. Paul admonishes the church in Corinth to excel in the grace of giving, just as they excel in other giftings. He reminds them of Jesus' generosity: although He was rich, He became poor for our sake, so that we might become rich through His poverty. What we have received from Christ cannot be measured in monetary value; it far exceeds any kind of wealth we might imagine. Christ’s poverty caused paupers to become princes, orphans to become children, beggars to become kings, and outcasts to become rulers.
When we grasp the measure of Jesus’ sacrifice, it far outweighs anything we can give in return. Generosity becomes an automatic response to the unfathomable grace poured out for us. Generosity is not a demand or a forced action; it is simply a response to the incredible love shown through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection! There should be no group more generous than the Body of Christ — a generosity that’s not forced or coerced, but willingly and freely given from hearts filled with gratitude to our Savior.
If you struggle with generosity, spend a little more time at the Cross of Christ. You may need to hear His words more clearly: “That it is more blessed to give than to receive.” The good news of Jesus is free for everyone, yet it cost Jesus His life. The good news of God’s grace is freely accessible, but it takes resources to reach all the world and share it. Decide today to be a generous person in all ways, including with your finances.
Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you with the grace of giving, then allow God to surprise you in miraculous ways with how He will provide for you.
Verses to Pray and Meditate on:
Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you. “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself. “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them.
Acts 20:31-36 (NLT)
Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it.
2 Corinthians 8:7-10 (NLT)
So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!
2 Corinthians 9:12-15 (NLT)
Prayer Focus:
- Pray for an enlargement of your capacity to give and receive from the Lord.
- Ask the Lord to give all believers a generous mindset and faith to believe that he rewards those who put their trust in Him.
- Ask the Lord to forgive us when we fail in generosity and to equip us to be generous on all occasions.
- Pray about your own giving - can you trust the Lord for a greater level of generosity? Pray for others in the same way.
- Pray for the grace of giving to be released at the Rock church, so that we might have a greater impact for the kingdom of God in our generation.
- Pray for a heart of obedience, then take a step of faith and act on your prayer by giving to honor His Name.
- Ask the Lord to reveal His will to us regarding giving, and then respond with a heart of gratitude for all the ways He has provided for us!
- Take a moment to thank Him that, through His poverty, we have become rich!
Posted in 2026 Corporate Fast