2 Cor 8 :4-12
I have
always wondered how we feel when we are given gifts. There are some gifts which
we receive and say “Thank you” but it does not have much meaning to us. Perhaps
we feel the gift is not enough or is not of our quality. I have received
wedding cards in which they my friends have listed the kind of gifts they will
appreciate for their wedding.
I
understand that if you give them gifts which are not in their list they will
not very much appreciate them. Some go as far as indicating the shop where you
have to buy their gift. It also means that if you cannot afford it then you
better come empty handed.
In all
these, I believe that men and women would like to receive purposeful gifts. They
know what they want and they would love someone to meet just their needs. If we
want purposeful gifts then we should also give purposefully. Give because you
know where it is going, what it is going to do and because you know why you are
giving.
[My intention is to make this clear so that
we can learn to give purposefully. That is surely the kind of giving that
brings glory to God]
a) The Macedonian church were begging Paul to take their gifts
They knew
Paul will normally refuse taking from poverty stricken people so they begged
them to take their gift.
They were
not only begging but scripture says with
urgency. I believe when they said please take our gift for the saints in
Judea; Paul said “No It is enough. Use the rest for yourself!”
They said; “No we
are ok. This one is for those in the Judean famine”
Paul would say; “This
one is Ok. You can give it next time. We’ll always be there.” Thinking
they’ll reserve for themselves.
They’ll say; “We
want you to take these ones now. Next time we’ll do what the day brings. Today,
we have to give these.” I think they really begged Paul and his team just
to give to the needy in Judea.
- They wanted to share of the fellowship of the ministering to the saints (2Cor 8:4). For example; this text reminds me of the “spiritual emphasis week 2013” for our health board.
The team
that came to our church realized that Mount Zion Boko urgently needed a larger
place for worship. They felt that we were in need of finances to get a better
place of worship. So when we made an offering for the needy and gave them, they
preferred giving it to us. The Question was; “Do you not have the needy amongst you in the church? We normally start
with the church we visit.”
I remember
my answer was, “Not for the moment!”
Our intention was to give even our little which we had for the needy who come
to our Hospitals. We need to grow in this grace and do our best to fellowship
too in the ministering to the saints because it is this that assist evangelism.
- Giving, the Macedonian Church wanted to fellowship with all other disciples throughout the world. Others were also contributing for the famine in Judea (Ro 15:25-26)
- Today, if you refuse to financially work together whether in your church or with other churches, then you have disfellowshipped yourself from the universal brotherhood of benevolence and evangelism. 1 Cor 16:1-4 make us know that the special contribution was done every first day of the week. They kept aside something as they were prospered.
b) The Macedonian church first gave themselves (2 Cor 8:5)
1.
When you give your life to Jesus, contributions will follow. Romans 12:1 says “I urge you” Paul pleads for them to be
motivated by what God has done; to give themselves as living sacrifice to God.
2.
This
can only happen for a person who knows
God; and who appreciate the grace of God.
3. Sacrifice refers to offering. If you have given yourself as a living
sacrifice, then you will give even your finances for benevolence and
evangelism. The Macedonian church gave beyond their ability because they first gave themselves to the Lord and
to the apostles by the will of God.
4.
A person who is motivated by God’s
mercy and His grace will not look for how less to give but will concentrate on
how much he can give.
i.
Because
such a person’s life is given to others.
ii.
He
thinks of others more!
iii.
That is the result of the grace of God.
c) They gave with a purpose (2Cor 8:7,8)
1.
Paul
reminded the Corinthian church that they were excelling in faith, speech,
knowledge, diligence and love (Vs 7)
2.
But
he pleaded for them to also excel in giving which he made them know is a grace.
i.
Giving
sacrificially,
ii.
freely
to save those in need just like what God did to us in our salvation.
3.
It
is not a commandment to give but it is a test of your love for God and others
who need help. 2 Cor 8:8 says this is to
prove through the diligence of others the sincerity of your love.
4.
Give according to what you have
(2cor 8:12).
Whether you are poor or rich,
i.
you
are encouraged to give.
ii.
This
is to show equality so that those who
have much will meet the needs of others while their needs are also met by
others.
iii.
Those
who have little will never lack because of the love of those who have much.
That is Christian love shown in giving!
That is giving out of purpose:
- Meet some ones need
- Give because of the love for God
- Give according to what you have
- Excel in the grace of giving
- Give sacrificially.
If you give
an offering and do not feel a lost, then it is not sacrificially. You must feel
it else you have given something that has no value for you.
- The widow gave and was left with nothing.
- The Macedonian church gave beyond their ability despite their financial difficulties. They felt the lost of the little they had.
- But all of them did it because they understood God’s mercy that led to God’s grace in their salvation. So they did same for their love for God.
In their
actions others will benefit and others will thank God for working in their
lives (2Cor 9:12)
Your action today can cause someone to bring
thanksgiving to God!
Shalom!
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