It Starts Small

Paul has addressed his painful rebuke of the Corinthians. He expressed joy at their repentance. Now, he moves to a new topic: the collection of funds for suffering Christians in Jerusalem. The Corinthians had previously agreed to participate in contributing to this collection about a year earlier. Paul gave them instructions for how to do so in 1 Corinthians. However, some difficult issues had arisen between them and the apostle in the meantime. Will they still follow through on their commitment to give?

8 We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia: ² During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. ³ I can testify that, according to their ability and even beyond their ability, of their own accord, ⁴ they begged us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, ⁵ and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us by God’s will. ⁶ So we urged Titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete among you this act of grace.

⁷ Now as you excel in everything—in faith, speech, knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us—excel also in this act of grace.

2 Corinthians 8:1-7

We want you to know brothers

Paul gives the churches of Macedonia as a positive example of generosity to the Corinthians. Effective teaching makes use of examples to convey a point. Through the Macedonian example, the people of Corinth would have a clearer understanding of giving in action.

The grace of God that has been given

The churches of Macedonia—and indeed, all churches—had received God’s boundless grace. This divine spark ignited their desire to give freely. This grace truly drives the gifts of believers. It is crucial for them to give with pure hearts. They must also have righteous intentions. Throughout history, countless souls have poured their resources into the church. They often held the misguided belief that such contributions could somehow earn them favor in the eyes of the Almighty. In the darkest examples, the Catholic Church went as far as selling letters of absolution. They promised forgiveness of sins in exchange for a donation. In Austria, the Catholic Church has taken a troubling step further. It extracts tithes directly from people’s bank accounts. These are treated as if they were mere membership dues. The stark truth remains: if you fail to pay these dues, you risk exclusion from the community. You could be barred from sacred ceremonies like a church wedding or any cherished event.

At times, individuals are driven to give from an intense yearning to be noticed by others. This very tendency was what Jesus admonished when he observed affluent individuals in the temple flaunting their generosity. The prosperity gospel movement has sensationalized the idea of giving as a “seed.” It promises that this seed will flourish and yield even greater blessings. Prosperity preachers actively stoke this fervor. They urge people to open their wallets with the tantalizing promise of divine financial rewards. They promise these rewards in return for their donations.

The true motivation for giving, as illuminated in this powerful passage, springs forth from the boundless grace of God. His grace—an unmerited favor showered upon us—can never truly be repaid. Yet, this incredible kindness compels us to serve Him wholeheartedly with everything He has entrusted to us. Just as Jesus selflessly laid down His life, we too must hold nothing back in dedicated service to God!

Evaluate your own motive for giving. Do you ever give because you feel pressured? Do you ever give because others are around you or because you want to be seen? Ask God to give you the heart toward giving. When you struggle with generosity, remember what He has done for you.

In severe test of affliction… and extreme poverty

The Macedonians were not wealthy, yet their spirit shone brightly amidst their struggles. Many people think that only the rich or ultra-wealthy can afford generosity. They imagine that only titans like Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos can give. “I will give when I make more and can spare some,” echoes the mindset of countless individuals. But look closely! We see that true giving transcends wealth; it requires heart. For the Macedonians, this was a monumental challenge, a testament to their sacrificial spirit. They were called to give up something precious. This included forgoing meat for a time. It also involved denying themselves a new wardrobe or sacrificing a portion of their precious seeds for sowing in spring. Their actions inspire us all to redefine what it means to give.

They gave out of the depths of “extreme poverty,” a poignant reminder of the widow.

21 He looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury. ² He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins. ³ “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all of them. ⁴ For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”

Luke 21:1-4

Jesus exalted her as a shining beacon of generosity, for she selflessly surrendered everything she had. Her offering may have appeared humble by earthly standards. Yet, it was monumental because it came at a profound personal cost. Her sacrifice was greater than that of the affluent who gave a thousand times more. She poured forth her very soul into that gift. This act illustrates that true generosity is boundless and transcendent.

From the powerful example of the Macedonians, we learn that true giving knows no bounds! It isn’t about the amount you possess; it’s about the heart behind it. God calls each and every one of us to give generously. If you’ve been putting off your giving, waiting for a time when you feel more secure, it is time to take that bold leap of faith. Start honoring God with what you have right now! Remember, he who is faithful in a little is faithful also in much. Don’t let Satan, the master of delay, discourage you from serving God! Resist his whispers of convenience. If you give in to his lies today, you’ll feel tempted to do so in the future. Embrace the call to generosity with passion and urgency!

Their abundance of joy…overflowed in a wealth of generosity

The Macedonians gave generously not out of obligation. They acted from a wellspring of joy that radiated from their hearts. This revealed their pure and heartfelt motivations. When giving is driven by true feelings rather than external pressures, it becomes a celebration. It fills the soul with uncontainable joy. It also provides a deep sense of fulfillment.

³⁵ In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Acts 20:35

People often chase personal happiness by accumulating things for themselves. However, God has inscribed a profound spiritual truth in our hearts. True joy is vibrant and fulfilling. It arises not from pursuing our own desires. It comes from the beautiful act of prioritizing others above ourselves.

They gave according to and beyond their means

Here we see the beautiful principle of proportionate giving, a divine call to generosity that moves our hearts! There is no rigid amount that God demands from His people, nor a specific percentage etched in stone. Everyone should give based on their circumstances. They should respond with love and compassion. This response should reflect their personal journey.

Do not ever fall into the trap of comparing yourselves to others! Each individual’s journey is unique, and everyone carries different burdens and blessings. We should not pass judgment. What matters is the responsibility we hold for ourselves. We must fiercely guard our own paths and growth. At the same time, we should respect the distinct journeys of those around us.

Of their own accord

Giving should be a joyful and voluntary act, not something forced upon individuals. Churches and leaders must refrain from shaming or pressuring people into contributing more than they are comfortable with. True giving is a sacred connection between each believer and God. It thrives on the spirit of generosity that springs from the heart. Every believer should feel inspired to give abundantly in response to God’s boundless grace. It is essential that this motivation arises organically from within. Anything less would fail to honor the divine purpose of giving.

Begging us for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints

From this profound statement, we catch a vivid glimpse into the very soul of the Macedonians. They were not merely compelled to give; rather, they earnestly pleaded with Paul for the opportunity to contribute! Despite their humble means, an overwhelming desire burned within them to share what little they possessed. What an extraordinary testament to the spirit of generosity!

They gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us

The Macedonians’ response was nothing short of extraordinary, far surpassing Paul’s wildest expectations. Their fervent love for God ignited a passionate desire within them to contribute to the collection Paul was organizing. You may often hear the stirring phrase “give to God,” but what does it truly mean to give to God? God remains unseen, elusive to our senses. If you were to hurl cash or gold coins into the sky, they would inevitably plummet back to the earth. Yet, we can give to God by pouring our hearts into the service of others.

⁴⁰ “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:40

We love God by loving our brothers and our neighbors. We serve God by serving His people. We give to God by supporting His workers and His church.

Titus should complete among you this act of grace

Titus was dispatched to the Corinthians alongside Paul’s final epistle. His primary task was to facilitate the collection from the Corinthians. This collection was intended for the saints in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 9:7). It appears that the Corinthians had previously initiated this collection, yet it remained incomplete. Consequently, Paul uses this letter to strongly urge them. He wants them to actively participate in the collection. He refers to it as an “act of grace.” He implores them to “excel” in this endeavor.

Our ultimate aspiration must be to shine brilliantly in every endeavor that God entrusts to us. Among these, generosity stands out as a powerful imperative. How can you elevate your giving in the week ahead? Reflecting on today’s lesson, what changes can you embrace to enhance your generosity?

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Cross-References

• Malachi 3:10
• 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
• Luke 6:38
• 1 Timothy 6:17-19
• Proverbs 3:27
• Proverbs 19:17
• Hebrews 13:16

Reflective Questions

• How did Paul complement the churches in Macedonia?
• Why did Paul mention this to the Corinthians?
• What challenges were they facing?
• What do we see about their attitude in giving?
• What can we learn from them about true giving?
• What does it mean that they gave themselves “first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us?” (Verse 5)
• What was Titus assigned to do?
• What was Paul asking the Corinthians to do (verse 7)?
• How can you develop a spirit of joy when giving?
• If you find it hard to give generously, how can you improve?
• How should you approach giving when you do not have a lot to give?

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