June 16: The generosity of the poor

Now, friends, I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which God is working in the churches in Macedonia province. Fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colors: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever they could — far more than they could afford! — pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians. This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives.   (2 Corinthians 8:1-5 — The Message)

Here is a wonderful example of giving. At this time money was being collected from the churches to help members of the church who lived in Judea who were suffering from a famine. The churches in Macedonia pleaded with Paul the apostle for the privilege of helping their suffering brothers and sisters. But the Macedonians were poor themselves, and were suffering severe trials. And yet, in spite of their own troubles they joyfully gave to help others. And the gift they gave was not what Paul expected, but much more. They gave an impossible offering with great joy. No one persuaded them or put pressure on them to give; they did it because they loved Jesus and their fellow-Christians.

What an example for us! So many of the examples of generous giving in the Bible were poor people. This should encourage us to give generously to the Lord. We can't wait until we have a lot to give; we must give now... and give what would be considered a lot in proportion to what we have. Do you think God allowed the Macedonians to remain poor after they had given so generously? No! Impossible! He must have blessed them abundantly. Just a few verses after these, God says, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”  These people had certainly sown generously, so we know they received a generous harvest from God. When you give like they did, you will also receive great blessings from God. Show Him your faith and your love through your giving.

An interesting note on this passage is Paul’s description of why these people were so generous: “What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us…”  When you give yourself completely to God and refuse to hold back, you will, as a natural by-product, feel a desire to give financially for the work of God. We all spend money on things that are important to us, the things we love. And so, because a child of God values God more than anything else he will naturally give to Him, and do it joyfully.