1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 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. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 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.
8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 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 by his poverty might become rich. 10 And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”
16 But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Paul directs his attention to the churches in Macedonia. Because of God’s grace in their lives, they were stirred to send financial aid to the church in Jerusalem that was suffering because of famine (Acts 11:27-30). The Macedonian churches (in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea) weren’t sending aid because of their financial wealth. In fact, they lived in extreme poverty (Phil 4:10) and suffered because of their faith (Phil 1:29-30; 1 Thes 1:6). Yet they overflowed in generosity and begged for the privilege of taking part in the relief of the saints. It seems that Paul may not have even asked these churches to contribute but they got involved on their own initiative. They gave because they gave themselves first to the Lord. Because of their submission to the Lordship of Christ in their lives, they submitted themselves to God’s guidance through Paul and his coworkers. What was astounding about the giving of these impoverished believers is that they not only gave according to their means but in faith, they gave beyond their means. Why is it that the poor seem to give so freely from their lack and the wealthy are hesitant to give from their abundance?
With this example of the Macedonians, Paul appeals to the Corinthians to complete the collection process that had begun with them (1 Cor 16:1). Paul had already commended them for excelling in other areas; faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness, and love. He now urged them to excel in this act of grace, the act of generosity, as well. Paul wasn’t issuing a command. He wanted the Corinthians to be motivated to give because of the grace of God received in their lives. The Macedonians were an example of sacrificial giving motivated by grace. Now the Corinthians had an opportunity to show the sincerity of their love. Paul then points to an even greater example than the Macedonians. Jesus gave up the riches of heaven and for our sakes became poor (Phil 2:5-11). Jesus didn’t cease to be God, but He stepped out of heaven and became man. He made Himself nothing and assumed our debt of sin and paid for it with His life so that we might receive the riches of heaven.
The Corinthians had eagerly begun to set aside funds weekly (1 Cor 16:2) but for some reason, this collection had stalled. Paul encouraged them to complete what they had started. It can be easy to get excited about a project at its inception but as time moves on our commitment wanes. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to match their readiness to start with the completion of what they had committed to. Despite the Macedonians’ exceptional giving, the Corinthians were only expected to give from what they had in order to ease those who were burdened. Paul didn’t expect them to give to the point of becoming burdened themselves. God desires us to give from what he has blessed us with. It is not about the percentage or the amount but about the attitude of a willing spirit. We give to others out of our abundance to supply their need today so that out of their abundance they might supply our needs. This could be physical needs if in the future the situation reverses, or spiritual as we are credited with the ministry that results from our support. When God supplied the Israelites with manna in the desert everyone received what they needed. Those who hoarded found that what they kept rotted (Exod 16:19-21). Instead of hoarding God’s blessings in our lives, we should be conduits to ensure that everyone’s needs are met.
Are you compelled by God’s grace to be generous? Or might you need a recalibration on your definition of wealthy? Is your giving representative of how God has given to you?
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
The Nations Gathered: Revelation 6-7