Notice on a slight format change:

Except for July 2012, these are mostly a collection of current devotional notes.

July 2012 is a re-write of old quiet times. My second child was born Nov 11, 1987 with multiple birth defects. I've been re-reading my QT notes from that time in my life, and have included them here. They cover the time before the birth and the few years immediately after the birth. They are tagged "historical." I added new insights and labeled them: ((TODAY, dd mmm yy)).

Monday, June 9, 2025

QT 6/9/2025 2 Cor 8:20–24, Trusting the leadership

2 Corinthians 8:20–24 (ESV) —

20 We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, 21 for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. 22 And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

 

NOTE: Money is a contentious issue in the church. I actually don’t think about it much. I know that there are many unscrupulous individuals who have used ministry to line their pockets and get rich. But, that is never my thought when I hear of some ministry project. Apparently, many people (in the church) assume that there is something deceitful or could be. I just don't think that way, and I really don't believe that deceit would have ever occurred to me in regard to Paul. But Paul goes to great effort to bring along other men to protect the money from any charge of corrupt or unprincipled behavior. I wonder if people truly realize the power of God to change our hearts, or maybe they only follow Jesus intellectually and have not experienced the transforming power of the gospel.

 

There is another aspect of this. I would not want to be the person who stole money from the church that was going to meet the needs of the poor. God will judge that person harshly. One does not want to fall into the hands of the living God.

 

PONDER:

  1. Do I ever think about God's judgement? It is not for the end of times only
  2. Am I willing to trust other believers who have been transformed by God, the leaders in the church?

 

PRAYER: Father, I think we are called to trust our leadership. In fact, that is why leaders are held to a higher standard, because they have been entrusted with more. They stand before you, not just men, and that can be a fearful thing. Protect me from the enemy wiles. I don't want to ever bring disgrace to you or the body.

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