Excel in Giving Following the Example of Christ.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

 

2 Corinthians 8:1-2

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:  that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.

(NKJV)

 

The subject of giving can be a sensitive subject in the Church. Much of this sensitivity is self-inflicted as church leaders have misappropriated Church funds in its history and taught false doctrine stating that one giving to the church will become rich. While God does promise to meet the needs of believers, it is a believer's needs he promises to meet not all they want (Matthew 6:11; Philippians 4:19). In 2 Corinthians 8-9, Paul teaches the Corinthians about giving, something we will study over the next four postings on 2 Corinthians.

 

The text for this post begins with Paul making known to the Corinthians the grace bestowed on the Macedonian who sacrificially gave in joy from deep poverty (2 Corinthians 8:1-2). Paul witnessed them giving according to their ability and even beyond their ability out of their free will (2 Corinthians 8:3). The Macedonians, with urgency, implored Paul and those ministering with him to receive the gift along with the fellowship of ministering to the saints (2 Corinthians 8:4). The greatest blessing to Paul, however, was that the Macedonians gave themselves to the Lord before giving their gift (2 Corinthians 8:5). This prompted Paul to urge Titus to complete the grace of giving in the Corinthians along with their abounding in faith, speech, knowledge, all diligence and love for Paul and those ministering with him (2 Corinthians 8:6-7).

 

Paul then reminds them of the pattern of sacrificial giving that began with Christ. Paul is not speaking to the Corinthians out of commandment but the sincerity of their love by the diligence of others (2 Corinthians 8:8). Although Jesus was rich, he became poor for our sake so that we can become rich through his poverty (2 Corinthians 8:9). Paul urges the Corinthians to complete what they began with the same zeal they had when they first desired it (2 Corinthians 8:10-11). Their willing mind to receive Christ in the beginning must now bring the work of Christ to completion in their lives (2 Corinthians 8:12). Paul is not calling for those with means to be burdened while those in need are eased, but is calling for equality with those in abundance supplying the lack of those in need (2 Corinthians 8:13-14). This equality is that those gathering much have nothing left over giving so those gathering little have no lack (2 Corinthians 8:15).

 

Using the example of the sacrificial giving of the Macedonians plus the pattern of sacrificial giving by Jesus, Paul begins teaching the Corinthians about giving. During the next three postings on 2 Corinthians, we will be looking in greater detail at what Paul says about giving. We will look at,

 

1. The collection of offerings (2 Corinthians 8:16-24)
2. The administration of gifts given (2 Corinthians 9:1-5)
3. The attitude of giving (2 Corinthians 9:6-15)

 

The subject of giving sacrificially is one many pastors avoid for fear of alienating some in the congregation. Instead, when the subject of giving comes up pastors often emotionally encourage people to give to some cause or need in the Church instead of giving out of love for the Lord. Some Churches teach that one gives expecting a monetary return, treating giving to the Lord as some investment plan with a guaranteed return on investment. Neither of these enticements to give is Biblical for the Bible teaches that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33), not a guarantee of some monetary return on investment. The Bible also teaches that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7) and not one giving out of guilt or through coercion. We are not to give to get something in return because God has already given us the gift of eternal life by his grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) which is the abundant life promised in John 10:10 that Satan attempts to steal by preventing the spreading of the Gospel. .

 

Perhaps you are reading this and have drifted from faith in Jesus and the Church due to someone using guilt or coercion to get you to give. Know that this is not the way it should be for God loves giving from a cheerful and not coerced heart. Therefore, I encourage you to rededicate yourself to the Lord by praying with me. I also encourage anyone reading this who has never prayed for the forgiveness of sins and to make Jesus the Lord of your life to pray,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

For those rededicating their lives to Christ, I encourage you to find a Church that does not use coercion to encourage people to give and instead lets the Lord move on people’s hearts to give. Many Churches today do not even pass the offering plate and encourage people to either give online or in an offering box at the door. May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.