2 Corinthians 8
2 Corinthians 8:1-24
1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:
2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.
3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,
4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well.
7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.
8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
10 And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago;
11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have.
12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened;
14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality.
15 As it is written, “HE WHO GATHERED MUCH HAD NOTHING LEFT OVER, AND HE WHO GATHERED LITTLE HAD NO LACK.”
16 But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
17 For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord.
18 And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches,
19 and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind,
20 avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us—
21 providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we have in you.
23 If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.
24 Therefore show to them, and before the churches the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.
The purpose and provision of grace is to impart Godly power way beyond what seems to be naturally available. It delivers from an unrelenting bondage of sin. It provides faith in the impossible moments, irrefutable speech for the contention of truth, knowledge that comes by Spirit revelation, diligence to complete kingdom work effectively, and love that amazingly covers potential offenses with mercy and forgiveness. This same grace, though, also powerfully enables participation in the provision of God’s blessing. Especially in a time when resources are lacking, grace enables an extravagant gift through a heart that remains open to the direction and generous nature of God. Rather than choosing exclusion from being God’s hand of provision for someone through our giving, by grace we can become participants in God’s plan to bring blessing to us so that we can ensure His blessing for others in His service. It’s not that we are depleted in the least in order that someone else can be eased, but it’s cooperating in the same grace that brings it our way by letting it be a channel through us. The offense that might come by observing those who are faithful in giving can be turned into inspiration to do likewise. As Jesus was willing to let go of everything to ensure that we receive our priceless gift, we can have this same heart of letting go of what we’ve been given so that others may receive as well. It will be through grace-empowered giving that our love will be proven and Jesus’ purpose fulfilled through us.
Of the many things that God is, the greatest attributes are love and giving. For God SO LOVED the world that He GAVE! We hear it taught that we were made in the image of God, so we should love, because God is love. Which is absolutely correct, but I think we need to spend time teaching that God is also a giver, and if we are made in His image, we are made to be givers.
It isn’t about money or resources, it is about a heart condition that says I choose to be a giver like God is. I choose to bless others because God does. I walk in faith in the area of my finances, standing on the promises of God, because His word says that He will care for us as we give. It’s scriptural!
Many people have fallen away from being givers, and it’s almost a taboo subject to talk about in church, because people love their money. Paul was never one to shy away from the hot topics, and this is a perfect example of that.
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