A year before this heartfelt letter was penned, Paul boldly declares that they stood ready to give! Yet, for that readiness to truly resonate, they must now act with unwavering commitment and actually give. He is not imploring them to part with everything they possess or to sacrifice beyond their means. Instead, he passionately urges them to embrace the biblical principle of giving in proportion to their blessings. Paul fervently writes that Christians should aspire to uphold a spirit of fairness. Those who are abundant should generously share with those in need. This ensures that everyone is given enough to thrive!
Paul gives the Corinthians an example of what giving is.
8 I am not saying this as a command. Rather, by means of the diligence of others, I am testing the genuineness of your love. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich
2 Corinthians 8:8-9
I say this not as a command
Paul was not insisting that they give. Instead, their gift should spring forth from genuine desire and heartfelt passion. It should not come out of obligation. God yearns for us to give because we are inspired to, not merely because we have to. Giving is a joyous choice, not a mandate. No one can compel you to be generous; it must come from within. God longs to see you make a courageous decision. He wants you to embrace generosity. This is a beautiful response to the immense love He has poured into your life.
In what area do you need to ask God to give you a more willing heart to give?
To prove by the earnestness of others that your love is also genuine
In the previous verses, Paul passionately recounted to the Corinthians the Macedonians’ magnificent generosity. They gave selflessly even when it cost them dearly. Despite enduring immense suffering due to their dire poverty, these incredible individuals still gave joyfully. Their contribution was not just a mere token; it overflowed with a “wealth of generosity.” In verse 4, Paul emphasizes how they “begged” for the privilege to give, using the powerful word earnest. They earnestly pleaded for this extraordinary opportunity to share their blessings.
So why did Paul share this example?
He yearned to ignite a spark of inspiration within them, yes! Yet, he also longed for them to respond with a generosity that bubbled up from their very souls. This response was meant to unveil their love clearly. It turned the situation into a heartfelt test of their true selves. The Macedonians soared through this challenge with triumphant grace, their love as radiant as the morning sun. Some Corinthians might have wrestled with self-doubt. Others hesitated in their reactions. Paul held an unwavering belief in their potential. He was convinced they, too, would rise to the occasion. This test would illuminate their own capacity for love and generosity, unveiling the beautiful depths of their hearts.
God sometimes puts His people to the test, not to uncover hidden truths. He already sees the unfolding of the future. Instead, these divine challenges serve to illuminate the depths of an individual’s faith and commitment to God. Consider Abraham. God was fully aware of his willingness to sacrifice his beloved son. Abraham, however, was yet to discover this profound strength within himself. Through this monumental test, Abraham’s faith was confirmed. It was ignited and strengthened. It banished all doubts and replaced them with unshakeable confidence in the Almighty.
Here we witness the profound distinction between a test and a temptation. A temptation seeks to ensnare a soul. It aims to seduce and enslave. This act reveals the shadows of sin and crushes any hope of liberation. The tempter yearns for failure, reveling in the despair it brings. In stark contrast, a test is a powerful challenge crafted to elevate the spirit, to fortify and embolden. The one administering the test does so with fervent hope, fully anticipating triumph and the blossoming of strength within.
The example of Jesus
Paul passionately illuminated the inspiring example of the Macedonians. He pointed even more fervently to the ultimate beacon of generosity: Jesus. But what truly ignites the fire of giving? It isn’t some external force that compels us; it isn’t the weight of pressure or a mere command from Paul. It’s a deep-seated motivation that comes from within, a transformative impulse that calls us to give freely and wholeheartedly.
But it is a powerful response to the boundless grace of Jesus! When you find yourself feeling stingy and hesitant to give, just pause and reflect on what Jesus sacrificed for you. He possessed everything—no one was higher, no one richer. Yet, in an incredible act of love, He descended to the lowest place imaginable. He relinquished all His divine rights and heavenly treasures (Philippians 2). He bore our sins so that you could be transformed into righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).
He willingly relinquished the glory of heaven so that you could step into its embrace. In the depths of His agony on the cross, He chose to sever His relationship with the Father. He did this so that you might be brought into an intimate connection with Him. Despite being exquisitely holy, He humbly became sin itself so that you could be clothed in His holiness. He bore your punishment, sacrificing Himself so that you would never have to bear the weight of it.
When you feel stingy, cast your eyes upon the cross! In moments when you want to cling to what is yours, remember the sacrificial love of Jesus! He gave everything so that we could experience an eternity with Him in all its fullness. How can we possibly hold back? His boundless grace ignites a flame of generosity within us! Take a moment now to pray fervently. Seek God’s forgiveness for any lingering stinginess or for keeping blessings locked away for your own gain. Thank Jesus passionately for the cross, then invite Him to fill your heart with an abundance of generosity!
Cross-References
- Luke 11:13
- Acts 20:35
- 1 John 3:16-18
Reflective Questions
- If this was not a command, then what was it (8)?
- What model does Paul give in these verses?
- What can we learn from Jesus about generosity?
How does Jesus’ generosity inspire you to be generous?
10 And in this matter I am giving advice because it is profitable for you, who began last year not only to do something but also to want to do it. 11 Now also finish the task, so that just as there was an eager desire, there may also be a completion, according to what you have. 12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
2 Corinthians 8:10-12
This benefits you
Paul was not saying this because he wanted to rob them. He wasn’t trying to take something away from them. Rather, he wanted them to receive a blessing. Jesus said,
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
It is better to give than to get! Paul wanted the Corinthians to experience the blessing of giving. Learning to give would benefit them far more and far longer than the money ever could.
A year ago started… now finish doing it well
A year prior, the Corinthians had embarked on this noble collection, yet somewhere along the journey, their enthusiasm waned. False teachers might have led them astray with their unsettling presence. They twisted the narrative to paint Paul as driven by selfish ambition. However, Paul fervently reminded them in the preceding verse that this endeavor was not merely for his sake. It was a profound blessing for them. It offered a chance for growth and enrichment. This was a testament to their very own spiritual journey.
Now he inspires them to persevere until the very end. He urges them to truly “complete” what they embarked upon. Starting a new journey can be exhilarating. However, finishing it often feels like an insurmountable challenge. Every year, countless individuals ignite their ambitions with New Year’s resolutions. For just a fleeting few days or weeks, they start a new plan. It may be a transformative diet. It might be an invigorating exercise regimen. Yet tragically, most find themselves faltering, unable to maintain the momentum needed to fulfill their dreams.
Christians are sometimes like this as well. We passionately start a new project or mission and fail to carry it through. It could be a Bible reading plan. It might also be a prayer schedule, a verse memory goal, an evangelism program, or an outreach project.
Do you have an example of something you started for God and did not finish. Why did this happen? What can you learn from it?
28 “For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?
Luke 14:28
One reason we sometimes fail is because we don’t count the cost at the beginning. Other reasons include trials, temptations, and obstacles.
6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6
God is determined to complete the amazing work He has begun in us. He calls His devoted followers to mirror that same commitment! How can you fervently strive to master the art of finishing what you start? What powerful steps can you take right now to ensure that you triumph in the Christian race, crossing that finish line with confidence and joy?
According to what a person has not according to what he does not have
The heart of the matter isn’t about the constraints of giving, but rather the spirit in which we approach it. Paul powerfully asserts that if the “readiness is there,” then all excuses fall away. The inquiry shifts from a mere, “Do you have enough?” to a compelling challenge: “Are you truly willing to share from the abundance within you?”
Proportionate giving is not just “acceptable” — it is a beautiful act of faith! God never demands what we do not possess, yet He calls us to generously share all that we do have. The same holds true for proclaiming the gospel. You can’t share what remains unknown to you; there’s no need to have all the answers to every challenging question. But, oh, you can illuminate the world with what you do know! Let us, with open and eager hands, present to God everything within us, regardless of how small it may seem.
Cross-References
- James 1:4
- Philippians 1:6
- Acts 20:24
- Luke 14:28-30
Reflective Questions
- How long had passed since the Corinthians had begun this collection?
- Why might it have taken so long?
- What can we learn in verse 11 about the importance of finishing a task?
- Which is easier, starting or finishing?
- What project or mission have you started that you need to finish?
- What principle of giving can you learn in verse 12?
13 It is not that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality. 14 At the present time your surplus is available for their need, so that their abundance may in turn meet your need, in order that there may be equality. 15 As it is written: The person who had much did not have too much, and the person who had little did not have too little.
2 Corinthians 8:13-15
As a matter of fairness your abundance should supply their need
The word “fairness” here can also be translated as “balance” or “equilibrium.” In the early church in Jerusalem, countless believers selflessly sold their possessions. They shared with the community. This ensured that no one fell into despair. The essence of this concept resonates deeply, though it isn’t fully comparable. How can a believer live luxuriously? How can they ignore a fellow believer struggling for basic necessities? Absolutely not! God desired the Corinthians to embody generosity. He wanted them to extend their hearts and hands toward those who faced greater hardships. By doing so, they would lift one another in unity and love.
Believers should have a heart of compassion and love for others. We should recognize that God has placed us as stewards over everything in our care. And He has done so for the purpose that we would use these things for His kingdom. That principle has remained consistent from Old Testament to New Testament times. For example, landowners with farms were to leave some parts unharvested for the poor of the land to glean.
9 “When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edge of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 Do not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the resident alien; I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 19:9-10
We saw this in the story of Ruth (Ruth 2). Boaz generously left extra bundles on the ground for her to glean. Those who had abundance were to share with those in need. This was His way for society to take care of those less fortunate.
Believers should look out for fellow believers. Caring for the poor is mentioned repeatedly in the Bible. The “I made this and it is mine” mentality is wrong. We are followers of Jesus. And Jesus, who was rich, became poor for us. How can you practically share with those in need?
So that their abundance may supply your need
Life is a rollercoaster of exhilarating highs and crushing lows. The Corinthians are riding a wave of optimism now, but who knows what tomorrow holds? When the tide turns, wouldn’t they long for the compassion of fellow believers to lift them up? Paul passionately imparts the timeless truth of “you reap what you sow.” If the Corinthians embrace a spirit of generosity, they will surely harvest the fruits of kindness in return. Naturally, in their hour of need, they would yearn for the warmth of support, not the coldness of hardened hearts. And now, let them remember—neither should they turn away from others in their time of struggle.
Whoever gathered much had nothing left over and whoever gathered little had no lack
This is quoted from Exodus.
18 When they measured it by quarts, the person who gathered a lot had no surplus, and the person who gathered a little had no shortage. Each gathered as much as he needed to eat.
Exodus 16:18
Some eagerly gathered manna with astounding speed and skill. They amassed a bountiful supply. Others toiled and collected far less. Yet, in a beautiful display of unity and compassion, those who thrived selflessly shared their abundance with those in need. They ensured that everyone was nourished. All had enough to sustain their spirit and body.
Perhaps some of our elder friends or those who needed a little extra strength faced challenges in gathering as easily. It’s wonderful to see how others stepped up, offering their help and support. This is the very essence of sharing that Paul passionately encourages! But there’s an even deeper principle at play here. God’s provision for His people is always abundant, yet it often flows through intermediaries. Maybe, just maybe, you too can become a powerful conduit of God’s blessings to those around you!
Let us, as devoted members of the body of Christ, fervently take care of one another! With that boundless heart of love, the radiant light of Jesus will blaze forth. It will draw countless souls to Himself with irresistible grace!
Cross-References
- Acts 4:32-35
- Luke 3:11
- 1 Timothy 6:18
- Exodus 16:18
Reflective Questions
- Why does Paul call it “fairness” for those who are more well off to give to those who have less?
- What would you say to someone who has the attitude, “I have earned what I have and it’s fair for me to keep it?”
- How does reciprocating play a roll in the church family? Should this be a motive in our own giving?
- What ideal does verse 15 describe? How can we as believers do a better job at sharing in a world where capitalism reigns?
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