I love the way Paul speaks to the Corinthians about their participation in the collection he was taking up for the impoverished saints in Jerusalem: “I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love …” (2 Corinthians 8:8, NET). “I am not saying this as a command” points up the sanctity of giving as an expression of the believer’s personal walk with Jesus. As we’ve explored in an early blog, true Christian giving is a direct reflection of our gratitude for all that Jesus......

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