This summer we’re going to see the next installment of the Olympics.  Isn’t it amazing to watch athletes who excel in their sports?  We will see the best of the best competing against one another.  Other people excel in academics.  I’m in a master’s class right now, and I’m simply blown away by the intellect of the professor who is lecturing.  Not only does he have an incredible amount of knowledge, but also he explains challenging concepts in a simple and engaging way.  He excels at both intellectual knowledge and at teaching.  Others excel in art or music or cooking.  Paul makes a really interesting statement when he challenges the Corinthians to excel in the grace of giving.  As followers of Christ, we must come to the conclusion that the abundance we have been blessed with isn’t simply for our own enjoyment.  Those of us who have been entrusted with much (which is basically every American) and even those who haven’t been entrusted with much need to excel in the grace of giving.  What we have in the way of material items wasn’t given to us simply so we could spend it on us – it was given that we might bless others.  So the question is: are you using what God has given you by excelling in the grace of giving?