Tuesday – 2 Corinthians 8:5
Verse 5 is the pivotal verse in this passage because it reveals the “how” of gracious giving. The verse begins with a significant but subtle statement: “And they exceeded our expectations …,” meaning Paul and his companions saw what the people had and made a value judgment on how they might respond. But they didn’t! And why they didn’t is explained in the second part of the verse: “… they gave themselves first of all to the Lord …”  So, they gave themselves—that is, they ceded control over themselves and their possessions. They gave it all to God! They didn’t worry about how the amount they gave would impact them; they just said, “God, here, you take it.” And then, as the third part of the verse says, “… and then by the will of God also to us.” God pointed them to his chosen means for using what they had already given to him, and they responded by turning the offering over to Paul.  

What a great example to follow! What could be easier? Surrender your all to God and let God show you how to distribute it.