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.
Think of a time that you gave away money. Perhaps your bought some groceries for someone, helped pay for someone's mission trip, or donated financially to an organization close to your heart. How did you feel? Or even more, have you given away money more than once in one day?
Last week, I mentioned how fear is a lie that we believe because we have nothing to fear according to the Bible. Well, here's another lie: it doesn't feel good to give away what I have. Satan wants nothing more than for us to think that it will be completely painful to part with our possessions and money. And we usually believe Him. I know I do. One look around my house, and we could probably deduce that I only need about 1% of what I own...and I'm "just a teacher," not some bank president or company owner with a large mansion on a hillside. Yet, how often I believe this lie, and I constantly fight the battle to loosen my tight grip on my money.
Because I can also say from experience that giving away brings unexplainable joy. Have you gotten to experience that yet?
Here, Paul is talking to the Corinthians who, according to verse 7, "excel in everything -- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in love." These people were doing a lot of things really well, and they also had a lot of money comparatively. They lived in the upper-middle class of society and could afford some of the "extras" of life (sound like anyone you know? Cough, cough...). But Paul wanted still more for them, that they might "also excel in this grace of giving."
So Paul shares a story with them about some people he was just with in Macedonia. How incredible to read about what the Macedonian churches did in verse 3-4:
"In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity." They refused to believe the lie. Even in the midst of a very severe trial (one that we're not sure of, but it was very severe), they gave. How easy is it for me in the midst of a recession, or a job loss, or in something even more perilous, to say that "now is not the time for me to give, but when this gets better, I might give then."
Not so for these people! Despite their very severe trial, their overflowing joy in the midst of extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity! Quick note: look at the adjectives here. Paul must have really meant these things -- very severe trial, extreme poverty, and rich generosity.
Even in hardship, we are not meant to hoard things for ourselves. Hoarding never produces joy.
"For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability." As much as they were able...and beyond." And that is what God desires from us. He's not like a Discover Card that tells us how much we need to give back -- 1% on groceries, 2% on gas, 3% on entertainment. No! Rather, we are to give as much as we are able.
The tithe of 10% comes from the Old Testament law, but in the New Testament, no amount is given. My thought is not that that means, oh we don't have to give 10% anymore, but rather that, if anything, the bar was raised -- give whatever you are able. And see, there's no checklist, so for people like me who like to follow the rule so I can check it off, there is no hard and fast rule anymore. Give what you can....and beyond, it says. Be generous.
"Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people." Despite their extreme poverty and severe trials, they pleaded for the privilege of sharing. I bet I know why why -- they had been given much, and now they wanted to give back. Haven't you felt that before? Someone does something big and unexpected for you, and don't you want to find a way to repay them or pay it forward? The Macedonians had been given Salvation. And despite their poverty, they were extremely grateful and wanted to give.
Perhaps like me, it's easy for you to lose sight of the feeling of gratitude for what Christ did for us. This is why we have to take time to remember it -- at the Lord's Table during communion, or even now in front of this screen. When we think of how much we've been given for eternity, money pales in comparison.
Verse 9 reminds us: 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. Christ had all He ever wanted or needed in Heaven, but He chose to become human and set aside His rights and glory, limiting His power and knowledge for a time, so that we might receive salvation.
So now, you may be reeling, wishing you'd never read this post and thinking, "As soon as I saw it was going to be about money, I should have stopped." I know. Money is a touchy subject. But as we continue to study this over the next couple days, perhaps our grip on our stuff will become a little less tight. Jesus doesn't just want to take from us, though He completely has the right to do so. Instead, He allows us the choice to give. And our giving does not return null and void, but rather, when we give to others, we receive a renewed sense of perspective and some extreme joy.
I dare you. Give it a try today.
Molly Monroe
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