“Now I want to tell you what God in his grace has done for the churches in Macedonia.² Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, they have mixed their wonderful joy with their deep poverty, and the result has been an overflow of giving to others. ³ They gave not only what they could afford but far more; and I can testify that they did it because they wanted to and not because of nagging on my part. ⁴ They begged us to take the money so they could share in the joy of helping the Christians in Jerusalem. ⁵ Best of all, they went beyond our highest hopes, for their first action was to dedicate themselves to the Lord and to us, for whatever directions God might give to them through us. ⁶ They were so enthusiastic about it that we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to visit you and encourage you to complete your share in this ministry of giving” [2 Corinthians 8:1-9 TLB].

What   attracted me to our opening text are the values and principles embedded in these scriptures. The churches in Macedonia Paul was writing about in our opening text were under very difficult situation and the Bible did emphasize that they were poor but out of their deep poverty came an overflow of their giving to others who were in need. Paul emphasized that these people gave because they wanted to and not because he coerced them into giving.  It’s interesting how they gave themselves first to God and begged to be allowed the opportunity to share in the giving ministry. There giving was not influenced by the blessings attached to giving but from a place of deep concern for those in need and love for others.  This is what biblical giving is all about.

These people understood that it is a privileged to give. We need to understand that as children of God, we ought to live our lives in the light of what Jesus did for us on the cross and in the knowledge that we no more belong to ourselves but to Him.  When we have the opportunity to do anything to put a smile on His face and advance His interest here on earth, we don’t do it as if we are doing anyone a favour but we do it from a place of gratitude to God.  Biblical giving should be a lifestyle of the believer.

Like we see from the scripture, giving has nothing to do with having resources in abundance.  In verses 10 – 12, Paul highlighted this fact: ^“I want to suggest that you finish what you started to do a year ago, for you were not only the first to propose this idea, but the first to begin doing something about it.  Having started the ball rolling so enthusiastically, you should carry this project through to completion just as gladly, giving whatever you can out of whatever you have. Let your enthusiastic idea at the start be equalled by your realistic action now.  If you are really eager to give, then it isn’t important how much you have to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you haven’t.”

One of the key principles we need to learn from this verse is consistency.  As a child of God you should be known as a finisher, it brings greater glory to God. Another important principle to point out is the fact that God expects you to give what you have and not what you don’t have. We are not in competition with anyone. God is not looking at the size of your giving but your heart and your capacity. He doesn’t want you to do more than you can but to do your best.

We see a similar charge in Exodus 35: 4 – 9; 20 -22 and 29;

^“ Moses said to the whole Israelite community, “This is what the Lord has commanded:  From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair;  ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather^[a]; acacia wood;  olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;  and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breast piece…   and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments.  All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewellery of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the Lord.  All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord freewill offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do.” [NIV].

Biblical giving doesn’t force anyone to give but allows the giver to participate willingly [Exodus 46: 4 – 7]. Does this sound like what we hear in the church today? Sadly, No.  If we understand the principle of biblical giving, we wouldn’t be stressed about this topic in our churches today.  We should strive to make giving a lifestyle because we are what we are by the grace of God.  If God didn’t love the world to the point of giving His only son to die for us, we wouldn’t be here.  That’s the foundation of our Christian life and we have to live the rest of our lives in response to what God has done for us through Christ.  So that when we talk about advancing his kingdom we would do so with enthusiasm.

God is no man’s debtor. When you learn to live your life responding to needs and challenges for His sake, He makes ways for you even when there are none. I have put these principles into practice and I have seen the faithfulness of God in my life.  I behave like an employee of God and not like an employee of the mission. I participate in meeting every need in the church same way I would expect the brethren to because, they are not doing it for me rather we are all doing it for the kingdom of God. I can confidently say that God has not let me down.  If you live this way God will not let you down too. He will prosper you beyond your wildest imagination.

Quotes:

“Biblical giving doesn’t force anyone to give but allows the giver to participate willingly.”

“Another important principle to point out is the fact that God expects you to give what you have and not what you don’t have.”