A WILLINGNESS TO GIVE

"For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have." (2 Corinthians 8:12). 
[NKJV STUDY BIBLE].


12 The phrase "according to your means" at the end of v.11 is now explained. Provided a gift is willingly given, its acceptability is determined solely on the basis of what a person might possess, not on the basis of what one does not own. God assesses the "value" of a monetary gift, not in terms of the actual amount given, but by comparing what is given with the total financial resources of the giver (see Mark 12:41-44). No one is expected to give "according to what he does not have."
[NIV BIBLE COMMENTARY Volume 2: New Testament].

[www.sowersoftheword.blogspot.com]. JESUS IS LORD.

THE SINCERITY OF YOUR LOVE IS BEING TESTED

"I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others." (2 Corinthians 8:8). [THE NKJV STUDY BIBLE].

8:8 testing: Generosity is the natural result of sincere love. 
[THE NKJV STUDY BIBLE].

8 Although vested with full apostolic authority (10:8; 13:10), Paul declined to issue directives, preferring rather to request, suggest (cf. v.10), encourage, or appeal (cf. 1 Cor 7:6; 2 Cor 8:6, 10, 17). Spontaneity and warmth would be absent from the Corinthians' giving if coercion were present. But he did see in the enthusiastic generosity of the Macedonian churches a convenient standard for assessing the genuineness of the Corinthians' professed love for him and for all believers, as well as a compelling incentive to arouse them to action.
[NIV BIBLE COMMENTARY Volume 2: New Testament].

[www.sowersoftheword.blogspot.com]. JESUS IS LORD.

I WILL SUCCEED IN 2013 BECAUSE MY PLANS ARE COMMITTED TO THE LORD!

"Roll your works upon the Lord-commit and trust them wholly to Him; [He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed." (Proverbs 16:3). [Amplified Bible].

The verb "commit" is literally "roll" (the figure of rolling, as in rolling one's burdens onto the Lord, is found also in Psm 22:8; 37:5; 55:22). This word portrays complete dependence on God, (Prov 3:5-6) accomplished with a spirit of humility and be means of a diligent season of prayer. For our plans to succeed, we must also have God's approval. Not every plan we have is pleasing to him; but for those that are, this verse is a great comfort.
[NIV BIBLE COMMENTARY Volume I: Old Testament].

 
[www.sowersoftheword.blogspot.com].

JESUS IS LORD.