Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 15; 2 Corinthians 8; Ezekiel 22; Psalm 69
2 Corinthians 8:1-2 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
Giving is not only commanded in God’s Word, but it is also a particular gift that the Holy Spirit can give. Are you generous? God wants you to be. He will create a Holy Spirit inspired generosity within you if you will be filled with the Spirit! Giving is the result of God’s generosity in his grace that is poured out upon his children. God had so graced the churches of Macedonia that they were more than ready to give to others. The churches of Macedonia would be the church at Philippi and that church at Thessalonica. Both of these churches had given to help relieve the suffering of the poor saints in Jerusalem.
Some people view giving like this, “I am praying for a raise so that I can give to ministry.” There is a problem with that- if you are not giving right now, a raise will change nothing. These Macedonian Christians did not have abundance. They were in deep poverty! Yet they were overjoyed to be a part of helping someone else. God delights when someone gives to others selflessly. God does not want a person to give what they do not have. He wants them to be generous with what they have been given.
2 Corinthians 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
Some people ask you to make ‘faith promises’ to give more than you have. That is not what God’s Word says. He accepts it when you give of what you have. Like the widow that fed Elijah she only gave of what she had. God performed a miracle and made sure she had enough for each day! (1 Kings 17).
Are you like the Macedonians? They had an abundance of joy at the prospect of giving to help their brothers and sisters who also love Jesus. They were poor, but their generosity was riches because they gave liberally! Giving is joy when you remember that what you have was given to you by a loving Heavenly Father!
In Christ,
Rody
