The Wednesday after the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on September 30, 2026 by under
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 (NKJV)
8:1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.
8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
Devotion
The Spirit of God creates faith in us and teaches us that we are not our own lords; we are servants of our one Lord, Jesus Christ. By faith we serve, sacrifice, obey, and fulfill our vocations according to His righteous will, bearing testimony to His grace and love with our sincere diligence.
To serve the Lord is always to be the focus of the saints of the Church. St. Paul is teaching the people, stirring them up to continue in the true work of love that serves the Lord, even as it serves others. It is not just about money or poverty. It is not just about completing the project or bearing the trials. It is about abiding in the life of Christ. His grace is not about having the freedom to do whatever pleases our own hearts and desires. Our Lord warns us that our hearts are naturally sinful: “For out of
the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matt. 15:19). But by His Spirit and grace, our hearts are set on Jesus Christ and His good work.
The richness of salvation in Christ is the peace of knowing that He makes things work together for our good. He gives purpose to our work and our afflictions. He sees our faith and our sincere diligence, even if others do not. He also corrects us and strengthens us when we do fall into sin and carelessness. His grace not only forgives us, but it also renews us so that we can get back to the work of His will and His love for others!
Collect: Lord, we beseech Thee, grant Thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow Thee, the only God; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
