Read 2 Corinthians 8
The Collection for the Lord’s People
1 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
Titus Sent to Receive the Collection
16 Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
Go Deeper
If you remember at the end of 1 Corinthians, Paul gave specific instructions to the believers in Corinth on how to prepare a special collection for the persecuted Christians in Jerusalem. Now, in Chapter 8 of 2 Corinthians, he reminds them that their initial readiness to be generous needs to translate into action. “Finish the work so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it.” (v. 11)
Paul points to two worthy examples of generosity: the Macedonian churches and Jesus. The churches in Macedonia gave all they had—more than they could afford—to anyone with need, and in return, they experienced profound joy. Paul writes that they “pleaded for the privilege of sharing in this service.”
Then, Paul reminds the Corinthians of the scandalous grace and extravagant generosity of our King Jesus, who willingly set aside inconceivable wealth and unmatched power for our sake. In a different letter, Paul writes, “Though Jesus was God, he didn’t think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” (Phil. 2:6-7)
What causes people to give it all away? What compels them to serve rather than be served? Simply put: their actions reveal their belief and devotion. We act out what we believe. When Jesus arrived on the scene, He brought an entirely new ethic for living, an upside-down economy. Instead of storing up treasures on earth, store up imperishable treasures in heaven. Instead of jockeying for position, popularity, and power, jockey for being a servant of all. Instead of racing to get ahead, race to the end of the line. He promised a better day, when pain is no more, where the least on earth will be the greatest in heaven, and that to find your life, you must give your life away. Do our actions reveal that we believe Him?
Let’s be generous people who “plead for the privilege of sharing” our time, our money, our gifts, and our resources.
Questions
What prevents you from being generous with your finances?
What prevents you from being generous with your time?
What do you learn from the examples of Jesus and the Macedonian churches? How will you apply that to your life?
Watch This
Watch this quick video about generosity.
5 thoughts on “2 Corinthians 8”
When we grasp the enormity of the inconceivable gift Christ gave us, we are moved to embrace humility, gratitude and generosity. Scripture reveals God looks more at the posture of our heart, rather than the amount we give. In his economy, giving is how we care for one another; as we do so, we can experience joy as we are on mission with him to meet the needs of others. Christians should be the most generous people on earth!
When we think about giving of resources or our time, it can be a struggle to be willing. But Paul is reminding the Corinthians that we are to give out of willingness (not obligation). By reminding them that the Macedonians gave more than they could because they desired to be of service to the persecuted Christians we see an example laid out for us as well.
“Consider the fact that Jesus did not give Himself expecting anything back in return. Yes, we obey Him out of love, but the truth is, we could never do anything to “pay Jesus back” for His grace. Grace demonstrates the purest form of love. If we give out of any other motive, we have missed the meaning of grace!’ Brad Boyles.
Grace, grace marvelous grace, infinite, matchless grace,. Jesus lived and died so that we could have freedom. We get stuck in the “rule” rut because we do not want to give freely but maybe is is due to our lack of love. The first half of verse 8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love… Sincerity, am I sincere in my love for God? Am I playing church? God gave, Jesus gave, what do I give? Never out of have to but because I love so much what my God did for me that I desire to.
God help me to check the sincerity of my heart for You. Thank You for giving myself first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to Your church.. I want to excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love that Christ has kindled in me and also I want to excel in this grace of giving. Thank You for pure motives to Your glory honor in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!
v 9. “that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” Amazing!
God’s grace.
vs. 11 Now finish the work, so that your (my) eager willingness to do it may be matched by your (my) completion of it, according to your (my) means. Generosity to me is a mindset put into action. Thank you, God, for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. It is in His name I pray, Amen!