“For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.” -2 Cor 8:3-5 NLT
Giving has often been an issue among churches, either it is overemphasized or not mentioned at all, to avoid making folks feel uncomfortable. We do good to learn from the Macedonian Christians; though they were a poor church they gave freely to Paul to bless others. The Macedonian Christians portray corporately what the widow did with her two mites individually – they gave out of their poverty not their abundance. (Lk 2:1-4) This church was counterculture in that instead of begging for money (as some do) they were begging to give money!
But how is this possible? How can we have a heart like these Christians? How can we give with a cheerful heart and not grudgingly? Well the key is found in verse 5, “their first action was to give themselves to the Lord”, this was God’s will for them and us. See the problem in the church is not that the offering plate has no money it’s that the offering plate has no hearts! Jesus doesn’t want your money He wants your heart – all of you, all of your passion, and all of your devotion! When He has you the rest is easy.
Here are a few things about giving that can enrich our hearts: 1) Give out of your “own free will”, never do it carelessly, out of compulsion, fear, or obligation. 2) See giving as a “privilege” and seek to give more than to get. 3) Exercise faith by doing “more than” is expected of you, and you’ll see God honor your faith. Don’t let giving depend on your abundance or your lack thereof, always do it in faith as see how God can multiply it. Lastly but firstly 4) Give yourself “to the Lord” before you do anything for anyone else. Anything short of this is man centered and God won’t honor it.
But how is this possible? How can we have a heart like these Christians? How can we give with a cheerful heart and not grudgingly? Well the key is found in verse 5, “their first action was to give themselves to the Lord”, this was God’s will for them and us. See the problem in the church is not that the offering plate has no money it’s that the offering plate has no hearts! Jesus doesn’t want your money He wants your heart – all of you, all of your passion, and all of your devotion! When He has you the rest is easy.
Here are a few things about giving that can enrich our hearts: 1) Give out of your “own free will”, never do it carelessly, out of compulsion, fear, or obligation. 2) See giving as a “privilege” and seek to give more than to get. 3) Exercise faith by doing “more than” is expected of you, and you’ll see God honor your faith. Don’t let giving depend on your abundance or your lack thereof, always do it in faith as see how God can multiply it. Lastly but firstly 4) Give yourself “to the Lord” before you do anything for anyone else. Anything short of this is man centered and God won’t honor it.
- HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO BLANKET STATEMENTS LIKE “CHURCHES ONLY WANT YOUR MONEY” ? HOW HAS GIVING DRAWN YOU CLOSER TO THE LORD?
- "Giving may lighten your pocket but it adds weight to your heart" -Albert Garcia