Giving

2 Cor. 8: 7

But 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.

What act of grace is referenced in this verse? Paul referred to the churches in Macedonia [Phillipi, Thessalonica, and Berea]. They had demonstrated a gift of grace through their giving. Although they were in a severe test of affliction, their joy and extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity. Out of poverty and affliction they gave! Normally, when poverty and affliction come we hunker down, holding on to what little we have so that we might be prepared for whatever comes our way. We often pray that God will give us help, that He will take us out of the pressures and poverty, but these believers did no such thing, they gave according to their means and beyond their means! They begged earnestly for the favor of giving to the relief of the saints! How amazing! What an attitude! They gave themselves first to the Lord, and then by the will of God, to others. What an example! Paul then exhorts the Corinthian believers to excel not just in faith, speech, and knowledge, but also in giving. But how? Paul directed their thoughts to Jesus, though He was rich, He became poor so that His followers could become rich. It was out of the riches of His grace that their hearts could give, and it is out of this grace that our hearts should be changed from self-seeking and self-protecting to giving and thinking of others. 

This exhortation reminds me of the widow's offering. Many rich people gave large sums, but it was still out of their abundance. Contrastingly, a poor widow came up and put in 2 small, copper coins which make a penny. Not much at all! Jesus then gathered His disciples around Him and said, Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on. So much like the Macedonian Christians! What a gift of grace is the joy of giving all even when it belies human logic!

Father,
You have given me 2 examples of giving. I confess when I am hard pressed, I don't fell like giving. But change my heart. Help me to give my all, in affliction and in poverty.
In Jesus name,
Amen