2 Corinthians 8:24
King James Version (KJV)
Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
Translations
2 Corinthians 8:24 - Amplified Bible
Show to these men, therefore, in the sight of the churches, the reality {and} plain truth of your love (your affection, goodwill, and benevolence) and what [good reasons] I had for boasting about {and} being proud of you.
2 Corinthians 8:24 - American Standard Version
Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.
2 Corinthians 8:24 - Bible in Basic English
Make clear then to them, as representatives of the churches, the quality of your love, and that the things which we have said about you are true.
2 Corinthians 8:24 - Darby Bible
Shew therefore to them, before the assemblies, the proof of your love, and of our boasting about you.
2 Corinthians 8:24 - English Standard Version
So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.
2 Corinthians 8:24 - King James Version
Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
2 Corinthians 8:24 - La Biblia de las Americas
Por tanto, mostradles abiertamente ante las iglesias la prueba de vuestro amor, y de nuestra razòn para jactarnos respecto a vosotros.
2 Corinthians 8:24 - The Message
2 Corinthians 8:24 - New American Standard Bible
Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.
2 Corinthians 8:24 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy
Por tanto, muéstrenles abiertamente ante las iglesias la prueba de su amor, y de nuestra razòn para jactarnos respecto a ustedes.
2 Corinthians 8:24 - World English Bible
Therefore show the proof of your love to them in front of the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.
2 Corinthians 8:24 - Young's Living Translation
the shewing therefore of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf, to them shew ye, even in the face of the assemblies.
2 Corinthians 8:24 - Additional Comments
"the proof" of their love... is their giving.
- when you were dating and in love, how did you express it?
- generally in gifts
- giving doesn't create love -- it expresses love that already exists
- if you say you love God, prove it
- show me how you have expressed your love to God lately
- do you struggle with giving? Maybe that is a sign of weakness in your love for God.
- How can you love someone, have a strong relationship with someone, unless you are spending time with them?
- How much time do you spend with God? (it needs to be 2-way, both prayer and reading)
- do you struggle in your relationship with your spouse?
- maybe you need time alone together
- find your mate's love language (briefly discuss the 5 love languages: gift giving, quality time, service, encouragement, physical)
- are you giving to your mate, especially in their love language?
Regularly? without them asking for it?
- guys - romance your wife
- gals - be happy, playful, fun, encouraging, uplifting
Summary -- if there's no time together (with God, with spouse), there is little love and little giving
- build your relationship with God -- spend the time
- build your relationship with your spouse -- spend the time
- then, as a result, give to God, give to your spouse
- and then (see 2 Cor 9:7) the giving, to both God and your spouse, will come from the heart
Yet, often we have a strong love for God, for our spouse, and due to lack of focus, busyness, laziness, whatever, we neglect giving.
If you have children, let's look at things your child gives to you.
Maybe they constructed something.
Maybe they wrote you a letter.
Maybe they offered to help you by giving you some of their money.
In reality, none of that improves your physical situation, but it's huge because it shows their love for you.
In the same way, when we give to God, we may feel proud of how we are helping Him out. In reality, God doesn't need our gift (physically), but He enjoys it
tremendously because of the love it shows. That is why it is so critical that we are cheerful givers (2 Cor 9:7), because a gift to God is primarily an expression of
love, not really to meet a need.
When you give, it should be a time of worship, of love, knowing just how much God enjoys this expression of your heart.
If you have children, you can be pretty certain of 2 things:
1. they love you
2. they often don't obey you (even though they may want to and intend to!)
Wouldn't you say that one of the greatest gifts a child can give to you is when they obey? Few things are more meaningful to a parent.
As a child of God,
1. we love Him
2. we often don't obey Him (even though we want to and intend to!)
The Corinthians had the same problem
1. their love was obvious (2 Cor 9:2-3)
2. they failed to follow through, even though the wanted to and intended to (2 Cor 9:4-5)
What did Paul tell them (2 Cor 8:11) - "just as there was the readiness, you need to follow through with your performance"
What would you tell them? -- "get off your butt and go do it!"
Okay, how often does God convict you of something, where you determine "yah, that's me", and have the desire to do something, or to change, but don't?
Especially during worship service or Sunday School?
Just like the Corinthians, you have the readiness to do it, but don't follow through.
So, if you were going to tell the Corinthians to "get off you butt and do it!", what are you going to tell yourself?
You may need some way to keep track of the things God tells you.
The Corinthians had Paul & Titus to remind them. We need to reminded. Tell someone, so they can ask you (verse 9:5).
Keep a notepad with your Bible at all times, so
1. you have a consistent place to write down what God tells you
2. you have a reminder, so you can follow through what you had the readiness to do
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