The grace of giving is an uncommon Sunday morning sermon. We’ve been told to give until it hurts. I’ve heard the misguided phrase, “You can’t outgive God” more than I want to admit. Preachers thunder about tithing, sowing seed, and giving sacrificially. Rarely is the grace of giving taught, however.
In this post, we will review 2 Corinthians 8, expositionally. It will be a verse-by-verse education on the grace of giving.
Christians are encouraged to excel in the grace of giving. Grace is a supernatural infusion of power from God. God, in His providence and through grace, empowers Christians to practice radical generosity.
Overflowing Joy
2 Corinthians 8:1-2 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
Paul is asking the Corinthian church for money. He sets up his request by mentioning the church in Macedonia.
The church in Macedonia was less prosperous than the Corinthian church. Paul was essentially setting them up. The church in Macedonia was comprised of what we know as the Philippians, Thessalonians, and Bereans (Westminster).
Paul used a few words to describe the churches of Macedonia. He used the phrases “severe trial” and “extreme poverty” on the negative side. Paul used positive descriptions such as overflowing joy and rich generosity.
The two positive terms seem to be in direct opposition to the two negative terms.
Grace makes it all possible.
The Macedonian churches were radically generous. Paul leveraged that to provoke the church in Corinth.
Privileged To Give
2 Corinthians 8:3-4 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.
The Macedonians gave more than what made sense. Their giving would be considered above and beyond and sacrificial.
Paul did not demand sacrificial giving. This is an important point of distinction. Why?
Sadly, pastors are known to cajole, coerce, and demand larger and larger offerings. Grace doesn’t demand.
Paul seems reluctant to receive the offering. They urgently pleaded with them for the privilege of giving.
Perhaps the conversation went like this:
“We collecting money for poor saints in Jerusalem. If you’d you like to contribute in accordance with your income please do.”
“Paul, we have plenty of food! Please take this money. God will provide. He always does.”
“Give as you’re able. I don’t want to leave you penniless.”
“Paul you must take this offering! This is providence. They need money. We have money. You’re taking this money!”
God’s grace was evident and Paul acquiesced. He’s now using the interaction to provoke a financially prosperous church to give proportionately.
The Grace of Giving — 100%
2 Corinthians 8:5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
We can give money (tip) but not fully surrender our hearts. Money follows a surrendered heart. The Macedonians gave their heart first and the money was secondary.
I’m confident that it was tough to impress Paul. The church in Macedonia impressed him with their generosity.
Giving can be a touchy subject. I fully understand. Here’s an article I wrote about giving that explains how much one should give to the church. Read it with an open mind and heart.
Complete This Act Of Grace
2 Corinthians 8:6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.
Intentions are not sufficient. We must also do something.
I “meant to give” is not the same as actually giving. Good intentions would not fill hungry stomachs in Jerusalem.
Paul and Titus were tag teaming this effort.
Excel In The Grace Of Giving
2 Corinthians 8:7 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.
Christians should have active, growing faith (Hebrews 11:6). Few would disagree with Paul on that point.
The speech of Christians should be excellent (I Timothy 4:12, Titus 2:8). We all agree excellent speech is vital for Christians.
What about knowledge though? Does the Bible encourage excelling in knowledge? The Apostle Peter believed that Christians should grow in knowledge (2 Peter 1:5-6). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7).
We should grow in zeal (earnestness) and love is one of those “above all” ideas.
What about excelling in the grace of giving? Is this simply another activity or discipline to add to our list of works?
Not even close.
Giving Is Not Commanded
2 Corinthians 8:8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.
New Testament giving is a reflection of gratitude and an act of grace.
Old Testament giving was prescribed for specific times and festivals. There was an annual temple tax and contributions were required during specific festivals (Exodus 23:15).
Jesus is our Passover. The Festivals are a thing of the past. The temple tax, thankfully, has not been resurrected.
Grace cannot be commanded. The grace of giving cannot be commanded. If it is commanded, it’s not grace.
Paul is provoking and testing the depth of love in the Corinthian church.
How?
By comparing them to the Macedonian church.
This is an extremely bold or terrible move.
Comparing Macedonia to Corinth would be like comparing a third-world country to an international superpower.
Paul basically said, “A third-world country blew me away with the size of their offering. They gave way beyond their ability. You say that you love God. Now prove it!”
Jesus Became Poor
2 Corinthians 8:9 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.
It’s my belief that 2 Corinthians 8:9 is one of the most misused and abused Bible verses. One particular fellowship of Christians has hijacked that verse and abuses it with impunity.
What is Paul really getting at in this verse?
He is continuing his bold provocation of the Corinthians.
Jesus came to earth from heaven. He left perfection and came to a sin-ravaged planet. Jesus was also a radical giver while on earth.
Was He poor? Yes! It’s clear from 2 Corinthians 8:9 that He was financially poor.
He certainly wasn’t spiritually poor.
How did He become poor? He was a radical, revolutionary giver. The Grace of Giving was part of His daily routine.
Radical Generosity
Judas left The Last Supper early to betray Jesus. John indicates that everyone thought his behavior was normal. Giving, even at odd hours of the night, was commonplace (John 13:28-30).
For your sake, He became poor so that you could become rich. Now that we are rich, and most of us are, relatively speaking, will we mimic His behavior?
Will we impoverish ourselves so that others can have food, clothing, or a place to stay? Or do we allow lifestyle creep to enter our homes and budgets?
Must we “prove” that we are blessed by having the biggest house and the shiniest car?
These are questions that we must all struggle to honestly answer.
How much is enough? Does that number continue to grow with each pay raise? Have we established financial boundaries?
The Macedonians practiced the Grace of Giving.
I have plenty of room to grow in this grace as well.
How about you?
Sacrificial Giving
Giving sacrificially should be the exception and not the rule. There will be opportunities to give sacrificially and radically.
When genuine opportunities arise embrace the Grace of Giving.
Allow God’s grace to be your umpire. Give cheerfully and joyfully.
God loves cheerful giving.