2 Cor. 8:1-7

In chapters 8-9 we see that there were apparently questions having to do with an offering that was being collected among the churches for the church in Jerusalem.  The Corinthian church had said they would gladly be involved but then were dragging their feet.  Thus Paul takes time to answer their concerns.  In the process we are given 2 great chapters that teach us about Biblical giving.

The teaching on giving begins with a testimony concerning churches in Macedonia that were “doing it right”.  If you remember that there are 3 marks of maturity Christ looks for in a church this testimony makes perfect sense.  The 3 marks are faith, hope and love.  While you do not see these words in this passage the qualities are very much present.

·        Giving characterized by hope.  Hope is the kind of maturity one exhibits in the face of trials.  Our Lord promised there would be difficulties, but in His words to His disciples in John 14, He promised them that He would prepare a place for them so they could be together again.  It is this hope of Christ’s coming that helps the believer walk faithfully in his trials.  The churches of Macedonia were in a great period of affliction.  The economy was down.  Purse strings were drawn tight.  Yet in hope they gave liberally.

·        Giving characterized by faith.  Read Heb. 11, the “faith chapter.”  It is a list of men and women who, by faith, accomplished things beyond their ability.  God told them to do something, and though they could not see the end from the beginning, they obeyed.  As a result they found God to be amazingly powerful, doing in and through them what they could not have done.  So it was with the Macedonian churches.  They not only gave according to their ability, they went beyond their ability. 

·        Giving characterized by love.  The greatest of the qualities is love (1 Cor. 13:12).  It was the new commandment Jesus gave to the church (John 13:34-35).  The essence of love is giving (remember John 3:16).  Giving money or material goods is a practical way to love others.  Thus it is no surprise that the churches Paul points to were urgent about their giving, wanting Paul to come and get their offering immediately and get it to the needy saints. 

How is it that these believers showed such maturity?  It is because they had the great priorities of life in their proper order.  First they loved God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength.  God had given to them His grace (v1); they responded by giving themselves to Him, even before they gave their money.  Then they gave themselves to the ministry of Paul, determining this offering was God’s will.  With the priorities right it made sense to give out of their trials, beyond their ability, to the needs of the saints.

Consider your giving.  Is it mature, reflecting hope, faith and love?