Joy to Share

And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Joy makes you generous. It opens your heart and prepares you to share what’s inside. That helps the joy to become contagious.

The churches of Macedonia were praised for their rich generosity in the context of severe trial and extreme poverty. Even though they were in difficulty they had overflowing joy. They will forever be known as people who didn’t give in to self-pity in their trials but had great faith that overflowed as joy.

A heart of joy is open and ready to share that treasure inside. In their joy the Macedonians didn’t wonder about their own future but trusted God and looked to share even their finances with others. They had a strong desire to give and they gave beyond their ability because they had real faith and joy.

There’s something about being joyful that makes you want to share it, whether it’s a great joke you just heard, a great thing that happened or a great smile you just received.

Because of their joy in trial, the Macedonians were ready to give themselves, to give what they had, and to share their joy.

I’d like to be more like the Macedonians, to have such faith and trust in God that I would have joy in the most difficult times, and to be a person who would be ready to share the joy.

Who’d like to be a little more Macedonian this week?