The One Gift That Keeps On Giving. II Cor 9:15
II Corinthians 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” 9:15 “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
We know the story of the birth of Christ. His mother and father were humble, ordinary Galileans. He was born in a barn. His birth announcement was made to lowly shepherds, not to kings. While yet a babe, his parents fled with him to Egypt to avoid Herod’s wrath. They were refugees in a foreign land.
The greatest paradox of human history is that humanity’s Creator and Sustainer willingly submitted to poverty and suffering, so that He might earn for undeserving sinners all the riches of God’s grace. The gift of salvation is the gift that keeps on giving, both for time and eternity.
In II Cor chapters 8 and 9, the Apostle Paul points to Christ’s poverty when challenging the believers in Corinth to joyfully collect an offering to relieve the suffering of the saints in Jerusalem. He calls them to follow the example of their Lord so that they might “excel in this grace (of giving) also,” 8:7.
As we all prepare for Christmas Day, buying and wrapping gifts for loved ones will be involved. As we go through those motions, however, let us ever remember that the only gift that never stops giving bids us to humbly, sacrificially, and joyfully give like Jesus.
CRM exists to glorify God by empowering self-sustaining gospel movements among the least reached people of North and East Africa. Your donation to CRM today could result in someone receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior. And that’s the greatest Christmas gift ever!
Prayer Requests
- That the three food relief distributions to 324 families in Darfur will result in many more Sudanese receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior.
- That the distribution of one shelter tarp and two blankets to 500 Sudanese families will be carried out safely and bear much gospel fruit.
- For the Christians within Darfur who have asked CRM to enable them to hold a Christmas celebration in 4 locations. Their intent is to invite their Muslim friends and neighbors for fellowship and to share the gospel of Christ.
- That our last shipment of Bibles to Darfur reach their ultimate destinations.
With deep appreciation,
David Crane
President, Calvary Road Ministries
