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Overflowing

Home» Blog » Overflowing

Posted by Tom Woodworth

Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God
in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia.
They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor.
But they are also filled with abundant joy,
which has overflowed in rich generosity.
(2 Corinthians 8:1-2)

We all know well the story of the famous widow and her two copper coins (or MITES in King James language).  Jesus testified that she put in “all she had.”  Put yourself in that woman’s sandals: can you imagine donating an entire paycheck to the church. Or, emptying your savings account into the offering basket? It’s a radical example of generosity, but in our era, it isn’t hard to imagine that generosity being condemned for foolishness. The New Testament gives another example, the Macedonian church. Consider an entire congregation who, each one, came forth with their copper coins: “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” (2 Cor. 8:2)  Troubled, destitute, and . . . generous?

When I think of the widow or the Macedonian believers, I often ask myself,  “What would motivate such generosity?” In verse 5, Paul explains that these people “gave themselves first to the Lord.” Before giving of possessions, they gave their SELVES to Him; newly, freshly, aware of His presence now, His blessing and protection in the past, and His assurance of the future.  Their generosity was possible because they first experienced overwhelming joy in fully offering their lives to Christ.

Questions to Consider

  1. Am I daily offering my life as a living sacrifice to God?
  2. Am I asking God for more of His joy which is available to me because of Christ?

Upcoming Events

Dec
14
Sat
2019
7:30 am Men’s Breakfast
Men’s Breakfast
Dec 14 @ 7:30 am – 9:30 am
Men’s Breakfast will be Saturday, September 21st from 7:30 to 9:30 am. All men are welcome. We’ll have pancakes and sausage, a speaker and testimony.
Dec
15
Sun
2019
9:00 am Prayer Meeting @ Room 120
Prayer Meeting @ Room 120
Dec 15 @ 9:00 am – 9:45 am
Before each 10am service, we meet to pray for First Free elders, staff, ministries, current events and community needs. Contact prayerteam@firstfree.com
10:00 am Sunday Morning Worship, Children... @ First Free Sanctuary & Classrooms
Sunday Morning Worship, Children... @ First Free Sanctuary & Classrooms
Dec 15 @ 10:00 am – 11:45 am
Join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 10 am. Children in preschool through 5th grade and Jr-Sr High youth join the adults for musical worship and then head to their classes at approx.10:20am. Come[...]
Dec
20
Fri
2019
6:00 pm Prayer & Fasting Vigil @ 322
Prayer & Fasting Vigil @ 322
Dec 20 @ 6:00 pm – Dec 21 @ 12:00 am
Everyone is invited to share in a time of congregational prayer and fasting. If you cannot come for the full 6 hours, come for an hour or two, pray from home, or fast for 24[...]
Dec
22
Sun
2019
9:00 am Prayer Meeting @ Room 120
Prayer Meeting @ Room 120
Dec 22 @ 9:00 am – 9:45 am
Before each 10am service, we meet to pray for First Free elders, staff, ministries, current events and community needs. Contact prayerteam@firstfree.com
10:00 am Sunday Morning Worship, Children... @ First Free Sanctuary & Classrooms
Sunday Morning Worship, Children... @ First Free Sanctuary & Classrooms
Dec 22 @ 10:00 am – 11:45 am
Join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 10 am. Children in preschool through 5th grade and Jr-Sr High youth join the adults for musical worship and then head to their classes at approx.10:20am. Come[...]
Dec
24
Tue
2019
6:00 pm Christmas Eve Service @ Sanctuary
Christmas Eve Service @ Sanctuary
Dec 24 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Celebrate the wonder of Christ’s birth through song and a special Advent message.
Dec
29
Sun
2019
9:00 am Prayer Meeting @ Room 120
Prayer Meeting @ Room 120
Dec 29 @ 9:00 am – 9:45 am
Before each 10am service, we meet to pray for First Free elders, staff, ministries, current events and community needs. Contact prayerteam@firstfree.com
10:00 am Sunday Morning Worship, Children... @ First Free Sanctuary & Classrooms
Sunday Morning Worship, Children... @ First Free Sanctuary & Classrooms
Dec 29 @ 10:00 am – 11:45 am
Join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 10 am. Children in preschool through 5th grade and Jr-Sr High youth join the adults for musical worship and then head to their classes at approx.10:20am. Come[...]
Jan
5
Sun
2020
9:00 am Prayer Meeting @ Room 120
Prayer Meeting @ Room 120
Jan 5 @ 9:00 am – 9:45 am
Before each 10am service, we meet to pray for First Free elders, staff, ministries, current events and community needs. Contact prayerteam@firstfree.com
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