ACCORDING TO YOUR MEANS.
(Confirmation to Youth Sub-Ministries!)

2 Corinthians 8:11; 13
Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.

This passage mainly talks about giving as far as monetary and material possessions. Apostle Paul was instructing the people of Corinth to prove (completing) their desire to give by acting on it, not just saying it. However, Paul encouraged them to do it according to their means - to what they have, not what do not have (v. 12). Paul emphasized equality in the sense of not allowing someone to suffer for giving more than what he can just so others can be relieved. It must be equal- no one suffering on either parties.

In the same way, we can apply this principle in giving our efforts and service to God and to the church (His people). With the desire that we have to give our time and service, we must do it according to our means. Not going beyond what we can do; not getting hard pressed by giving too much that we actually do not have (time, ability, resources, etc). We must share it with others so we can all partake of the blessings that God will give us. Our desire must be accompanied by our actions. Doing things by faith because we know that faith without actions is dead. Similarly, desires without completing it with actions are a waste (they remain dreams).

I am guilty before that I have given too much but was hard pressed and going beyond my means. I have now learned to share the responsibilities with the feeling of equality, that it's not a sin to delegate or to share tasks. This confirms the sub-ministries created for the youth committee. Praise God that I have just done the right thing according to God's principles. With this, I will continue to serve God according to my means and giving to others so I can also help them not to be hard pressed on what they've also given. I will help and give so others will be lifted with the burden without placing a burden on myself as well. Praise God for equality. We will be free from stress because God has given us each other to help in carrying the load and the tasks that God wants us to fulfill.

Lord, thank you for this confirmation. I pray that you will help me remember what you have spoken to me about. Thank you that your principles are always perfect, making all your ways happen in our lives, in the ministries and all aspects of our lives. I ask that you help me to trust in you with the things you have instructed me to do. I will be faithful to You Lord. Help me to be discerning to those who may be feeling hard pressed that I may share in their load. Thank you Lord for everything. I lift this up to You, by the power of the Holy Spirit and in Jesus' name, Amen.