The Grace of Giving

4/8/2017

2 Corinthians 8.7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. – St. Paul

Several years ago, we had a missionary at our church and he spoke about giving. As missionaries are wont to do, he spoke about his work, his successes, and his needs in the land of his mission. He said: the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is directly tied to our wallet. I think more than a few pushed back hard in their seats. Statements like that are hard for many to accept and embrace.

Paul spoke, to the Corinthian church, of the Macedonian churches's eagerness to give to the work of the ministry. He said:

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. (2 Cor. 8.1-5)

The example here is not what they gave but how they gave: In the midst of a very severe trial…; [in] extreme poverty; gave as much as they were able; and even beyond; they pleaded…for the privilege of sharing; they gave themselves to the Lord; [they gave themselves] to us.

So, today, the takeaways for me are simply:

·         Don’t ever worry about the amount to give

·         Don’t be distracted or hampered by trials or poverty

·         Allow the aforementioned, to overflow in rich generosity

·         Give as giving to the Lord

·         God isn’t concerned with our money; He looks at our heart about money

·         God doesn’t want our money, He wants our heart

Our use of money reveals where our heart is with money. Where our heart is with money reveals where we are with God. We can be wise with money, or we can be foolish. It’s up to us. A wise person gives himself to the Lord and does what is wise with his money.

We have to live. God knows that. We have to work. God knows that. We have to live within our means. God knows that. But we have to do what God desires we do with our money. And He tells us: Give yourselves first to Me, and then give what you can to others. That we give, is more important that what we give. This week, let’s be prepared to give…

Father, You know all about money, transactions, and the way things work here on the planet. It is not what I give as much as it is that I give. You know where I am with money, and I simply want to be a generous person. I ask that You enable me to be more generous, but that You accept what I give as from my heart. In Your Name, amen