All In Daily Devotional March 25 Sacrifice Means Different Things to Different People

 First Redeemer Church

Sacrifice Means Different Things to Different People

 

 

“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God granted to the churches of Macedonia: During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity.  I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability, they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves

especially to the Lord, then to us by God’s will.”

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

 

 

Sacrifice is an inside-out kind of giving from the heart. A posture that grants Him first place.  It is there that we give in response to who He is. It is there that we joyfully lay down what is personal and whole to us.  It is there that we learn to trust Him. 

 

God’s way is strikingly beautiful. Ours is to give creatively. Ours is to give personally. Ours is to give abundantly with hearts of gratitude.

 

We are invited to be a part of a lovely thing. 

God weaves a beautiful mosaic with willing hearts. 

Only He could be so creative. 

 

We get to yield our abilities, our resources, and our gifts in a way uniquely ours. My sacrifices and your sacrifices will look different from those walking next to us. They are distinctively ours to offer and already fully His.  

 

This is how we honor Him.   

 

Drops of pride and envy dilute and hinder these gifts.  We too quickly forget the standard that is set by God.  He views the heart and does what only He can with every sacrifice laid back at His feet.  His power is beyond our own. 

 

The Macedonians stepped boldly with God. The widow and her two copper coins echo through eternity. It is our privilege to give what is personal and whole with a yielded heart. We must not wander in distraction or waver in our courage. 

 

In God’s economy, the variation is beautiful. 

Standing up in sacrifice is worth it every time. 

 

How can we give anything less than our best? 

How could we withhold everything He deserves?

 

 

We’re All In. 

 

o   Thank you for giving us ways to give back to You what is already Yours.

o   Guard us against giving half-heartedly.  Help our sacrifice to cost us and reflect Your example. 

o   Thank You for inviting us to sacrifice in response to who You are.

o   Give each of us a unique opportunity to love and follow You so that our community and world may see and be encouraged to respond to the gift of your gospel.