Six Things About Giving

2Co 8:1-5 NASB  Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,  (2)  that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.  (3)  For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,  (4)  begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,  (5)  and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

Give Graciously

Paul was taking up an offering for the Christians in Jerusalem.  He wanted the church at Corinth to know how these people had given.  They were poor, but gave beyond their means.  They gave freely and wouldn’t take no for an answer.  The ultimate motivation for giving is the work of God’s grace in our lives.

Give Diligently

In spite of difficult circumstances, these people gave even when most would not have expected it.  In spite of financial limitations, they did found a way to give.

Give Joyfully

These people wanted to give.  If it hurts you to give, then don’t.

Give Generously

They gave beyond their power.

Give Proportionately

Paul is not asking the church at Corinth to give beyond their means.  What matters to the Lord is what‘s in your heart.  If we possess willing minds and generous hearts then the amount will work itself out.

Give Worshipfully

They did far more then Paul had hoped.  The first thing they gave was their selves to the Lord.  God was the priority in their lives.  This is why they wanted to do all they could for their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem.

Examine you giving habits.

Do you give reluctantly out of a sense of obligation?

Do you give exultantly, seizing the opportunity to share from your abundance?

Do you give expecting something in return?

Do you give because you have first given your whole heart to God?

We must always be a good a faithful steward of the things God has given us.