Do You Lack Follow Through? - April 14

Read 2 Corinthians 8:6, 10-11

Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace…And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.

Reflect

Do you always finish what you start? Why or why not?

Recently, I’ve been frustrated with my fitness. When I was younger, I didn’t have to work hard to stay in good shape. I had a great metabolism and could basically eat whatever I wanted. That is no longer the case. So, with good intentions, I save fitness videos and tips to my phone. But I’ll be honest and say that doesn’t usually translate into action. My workouts are hit or miss at best and my healthy diet is always “starting over.”

You see, my problem isn’t a lack of desire to get fit. It’s not even a problem with getting started. My problem is with consistency. When it comes to my fitness plan, I am simply not following through. Maybe you can relate? We all have areas in our lives that we want to change but we struggle to stick with it.

In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul is urging the Corinthians to exercise the grace of giving by contributing to his special offering fund for poor Christians in Judea. Today we read that Paul’s coworker, Titus, had asked the Corinthians to contribute to this offering the previous year and they were willing. But when Titus returned to them a whole year later, it was apparent that they had stopped taking up the collection. With good intentions, they said that they would contribute to this offering. But good intentions don’t accomplish anything without following through.

In today’s verses, we read that Paul and Timothy (See 2 Corinthians 1:1), encouraged Titus to help the church in Corinth finish what they had started by organizing the collection efforts. A year before, the Corinthians had wanted to take up this special offering and they had started the process. They had what they needed to complete it. They just needed to do it.

It’s worth noting that Paul told them that following through on their commitment to give would not only benefit the poor Christians in Judea, but that they would also benefit from it as well. Now, we shouldn’t give just to see what we can get out of it for ourselves. Still, Scripture is clear that God generously rewards those who give generously.

In Luke 6:38, Jesus taught: “...give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Paul’s point was that everyone stood to benefit from this gracious work, both the givers and the receivers. But first, they had to get the job done.

So often, we make promises to God with good intentions but we fail to follow through. When we don’t stick with it, we lose the opportunity to see what God can do through our obedience. It isn’t just the recipients of our intended generosity that miss out, we miss out as well. He has graciously invited us into the work of building His kingdom. So let’s follow through and finish what we’ve started!

Respond

Lord, I confess that sometimes I fail to follow through and I don’t finish what I start. I want to do Your will and I have good intentions, but so often I fall short. Please help me to stick with it and obediently finish what I’ve started for Your glory alone. Amen.

Reveal

Have you made any promises with good intentions but failed to follow through lately? I encourage you to take steps today to finish what you’ve started. Keeping your word reveals godly character to those around you.