Giving to others

2 Corinthians 8.

Remember last week Paul was speaking of waiting to bring word of what happened in Corinth

They expressed joy about the Corinthians and about Titus.

We are going to pick up there in verse one of chapter 8

The New International Version Chapter 8

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.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary A. Examples of Liberality (8:1–9)

Whenever possible, Paul preferred to motivate and instruct by deed as well as by words

He never hesitated to urge the Corinthians, and the other churches for that matter, to follow in his way of living because he tried to live by example.

But he was also quick to point out other examples of Godly living such as Timothy and of course Christ Himself

In this text he points to the Macedonian churches.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 8:1–2

The Macedonian churches—those in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea

despite their poverty, they gave richly

They lived in accordance with God’s will

The Corinthians, however, had been greatly blessed, and Paul felt they should be willing to give as these other churches continued to do

and this is one of the reasons they sent Titus to them.

Paul had hopes that they would give out of there internal desire, rather than because He had commanded them to.

vs. 10

The New International Version Chapter 8

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.

Paul’s advice was to finish the way they had started.

not just in giving but in desire to do so

He says, the willingness to give from what you have is what is important.

If you have nothing and still desire to give, the lack of a gift is not looked down upon

rather it is still a blessed by God

but if the ability to give is there and there is no gift and no desire to give, this is where we are are at fault.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 8:13–15

Paul no doubt approved of the Jerusalem church’s early efforts in meeting each others’ needs by having everything in common (Acts 2:44). This expressed their mutual concern for all members of the body of Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 12:25). This principle was modeled after a divine pattern. When God gave food to the Israelites in the wilderness He did so equally according to their needs (Ex. 16:16–18). The church should not do less

This giving is not just financially either

this is giving of ones self

are you giving of yourself and of your blessings?

are you doing so willingly and do you desire to give?