The Example of Giving.

In the first part of 2 Corinthians 8, Paul teaches the church at Corinth about Christian giving by citing the Macedonian believers as an example. This passage has great lessons for us about giving.

2 Corinthians 8:1-6

1 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.

According to ancient history, the Romans had militarily devastated all of Macedonia at the time of Paul’s writing, and the entire region was destitute. But these believers still gave out of their poverty. The words translated “deep poverty” are actually three words, better translated “deep down poverty”. They weren’t just poor, they were dirt poor.

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,

Notice this important principle. These Macedonian believers had an attitude of generosity before they had anything to give. Paul didn’t pressure these believers into giving; they begged him to let them participate! What matters most in giving is not how much you give, but your attitude that leads to the gift.

5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

Of course, Paul did not expect these believers to give. They were dirt poor! But they FIRST gave themselves, and THEN gave their money. These people had grown spiritually, and were now begging for the opportunity to give money to help other believers.

Remember this lesson of the Macedonians. They chose of their own free will to make an offering. “Of their own accord” means that every Christian has the freedom to determine whether they will give or not, or how much they will give. As you grow, God the Holy Spirit will motivate you to give.

Don’t give under coercion or pressure, unless that pressure comes from God the Holy Spirit. When He motivates you to give, you will be begging and entreating like the Macedonians were.

When you give because someone pressures you to, or because you think God will bless you for giving more, or because some Christian leader tells you that you should, then your giving is in vain.

If you have nothing to give, God will still recognize the willingness:

2 Corinthians 8:12

12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

There is much more we can learn about the principle of Christian giving (and we will!). But the principle today is that the mental attitude and motivation for your giving is much more important than the amount.

More to follow…