Christ-centered Giving

“Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-6

How does Christ want us to view giving? First of all, He never intended it to be a burden. True giving comes from the overflow of a heart filled with His love. It is an expression of faith. We give because He first gave to us.

In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul uses the church in Macedonia as an example of Christ-centered giving. These believers were in deep poverty. The word Paul used to describe their situation is affliction. The Greek expression depicts a beggar or destitute with no hope.

Knowing the persecution that early believers suffered, we can only imagine what had determined their financial state. Yet they gave generously. In fact, Paul’s expression concerning their giving illustrates a church willingly and joyfully sharing from what God had given to them.

On the other hand, the Corinthian believers failed to keep their promise to give. They had become restrained financially. Paul wanted them to visualize the truth about giving - it is based on God’s grace and not human effort.

Giving is never to be steeped in legalism. The minimum should never be enough. What God gave to us through His Son was His maximum. We have eternal life because He gave all He had. What would you withhold from that type of love?

“...they gave of their own accord.” 2 Corinthians 8:3