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OUR DAILY BREAD             Sunday, Aug. 13, 1995     
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READ:  2 Corinthians 8:1-15  
 
                 
                  GOD'S GIVING STANDARD 
 
     "Though [Jesus] was rich, yet for your sakes 
     He became poor, that you through his poverty 
                    might become rich." 
 
                                - 2 Cor. 8:9 
 
 
What is sacrificial giving?  The early congregations of  
Macedonia set the pace for other first-century churches. 
They gave not only what they were able, but even beyond 
their ability (2 Cor. 8:3). 
 
Stanford Kelly, a missionary to Haiti, provides a 
20th-century example of that kind of generosity.  After 
taking an offering in the little congregation where he 
served, Kelly found a gift of $13.  That was the equiv- 
alent of one month's wages.  The gift surprised him 
every bit as much as a $5,000 check would startle a 
pastor in a wealthier nation. 
 
The extraordinary gift prompted Kelly to search out 
the giver, who was a farmer.  When he questioned the 
man about his gift, the peasant was reluctant to 
answer.  Kelly probed until he discovered that the 
man had sold his horse, even though the animal helped 
provide the man's livelihood.  Kelly asked, "Why didn't 
you come to church to give the gift yourself?"  The  
farmer replied, "Because I had no shirt to wear." 
 
None of us can match the Lord's standard of giving. 
He gave up everything He had to bring us redemption. 
Keep that in mind as you prayerfully plan to give to 
God's work.  How does your giving compare to God's 
giving standard?   
                                -- Haddon W. Robinson 
 
               FOR FURTHER THOUGHT 
 
    Do you give sacrificially to your church? 
  What does your checkbook or credit card statement 
       say about your financial priorities? 
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             THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 
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 Your standard of giving is more important than 
           your standard of living. 
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THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Isaiah 52-54

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