“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means.., and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints..— they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. We urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. As you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
“I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 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 by his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
In the middle of a stark contrast between extreme poverty and an overwhelming flow of generosity sits grace- pure, shiny, and effervescent. Paul informs the Corinthians of this loving act by the Macedonians to incite gratitude and wonder at God’s grace at work, and hopefully a similar free flow of giving on their part for the needs of others. Love for Christ will mimic His sacrificial expression of love at Calvary.
When the child of God makes a donation, it may be from duty or habit, possibly even peer pressure or guilt. Often it is more rote than thoughtful, a particular instead of prayed-over amount. The Lord calls us higher, to give cheerfully as an expression of delight and thankfulness for His bounty, and willingly from what we have, whether we think we can or not. (2 Corinthians 9:5-10,13)
When we’re in a place of financial comfort, do we treat it as all ours? Does gratitude to morph into desert, the gift graciously given into a selfish right earned? When was the last time we gave time or prayer or resources compelled by God’s grace, in gratitude to Him? Do we give to people or a ministry measured by what we perceive we have, or considering what we could live without? Contemplating God’s abounding grace will adjust my attitude toward the abundance He’s entrusted to me. (Luke 21:1-4; 1 Corinthians 4:7; 2 Corinthians 8:10-16; James 1:17)
When we give ourselves first to God, grace seeps in and is celebrated as it is absorbed and expressed. Loving Him, we cannot help gut give according to the bounty we’ve received, and this multiplies in wide thanksgiving and glorifies God. Grace that has brought us this far will surely lead us onward in lives of hearty gratitude and eager generosity. (Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 8:19-21)
“The ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:12
Lord, continually tap me on the shoulder with Your grace, and prompt joyful, generous giving in response, to Your ends and honor.
As the rain and snow 