Giving is one of those subjects that pastors either ignore or really focus on. For us at Calvary Chapel, we teach through the Scriptures so when a chapter comes along on any particular subject then we teach it. Giving should be a part of every growing Christian’s experience, and I’m not talking about just monetary giving. Giving of your time and your talents to the body of Christ is just as important.
The situation Paul addresses in chapters 8 and 9 involve a collection for impoverished Christians in Jerusalem. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to set aside money each week (1 Corinthians 16:1-4 ). But over time they had stopped. In a sense, lesson one is to give regularly. If you don’t exercise a muscle it will atrophy over time; so too with giving. Paul writes to the Corinthians that when he comes, he would like the gift they promised to be ready. Paul’s got bigger fish to fry with this church and doesn’t want this to be an issue.
1
God gives the motivation and ability to give (vs 1)
The default human position is to hoard money through to the end of self-sufficiency. As we realize that we get everything we need from God, we loosen our hands on the money we have.
Paul uses the northern Greek province of Macedonia to spur the rival southern region Achaia into action. Isn’t it cool when we can compete over who gives the most?
2
Paul had a difficult time in this region, though God had called him here. Even after he left the persecutions continued. Despite this, the believers in places like Thessalonica thrived, and the outgrowth of that surfaced in joy and giving, even though they were in poverty. Remember with God it doesn’t matter how much you give, it matters how giving you are.
The word: generosity can also mean: sincerity, simplicity, and singleness. I love those words as a guide for how to give. Give out of a desire to help—because you want to, not because you have to. Forced giving is not giving, it’s extortion. Give singly—in other words, have a purpose in mind with your gift, even if you don’t control exactly how it is used—pray that God will use it to further His kingdom. And give simply. We don’t have to make a big deal out it nor does the gift need to be elaborate. Giving of time, talents, monetary blessings—all count richly in whatever context—whether it is as big as providing a new building for a church or as “small” as cleaning up the grounds or visiting someone who is ill, or putting what others may consider a meager offering into the basket on Sunday.
3 – 4
Paul says the Macedonians were so eager to help out the Christians in Jerusalem that they figured up what they could give then tried to go beyond that. They counted it a privilege and a service to take part in this joyful gift. It really is a joy to give. I think of our own church and the money given to help feed the starving in Africa—both with food and with Bibles. When we see the pictures of those people who received the gifts it is so wonderful and it puts such joy in our hearts.
5
This is always how it should be. You give yourself to God and your gift to God, and then you give it to the ministry. This has two purposes. First, we are simply stewards of what God has put us in charge of. We own nothing. So all that you are and all that you have should be given back to Him to do with however He wills. Secondly, when you give, you release that gift to God first, and then to that ministry. Putting strings on gifts is not giving, it is marionetting!
6
Paul had sent Titus to administer the finishing up of this gift. Paul doesn’t want to get personally involved so the accusations that he is shaking down the Corinthians for his own purposes will be proven false. I must say that I admire this. Paul wants to avoid all appearances of evil. It is actually an affront to suggest the Apostle, who would take nothing from them even for his own support, would somehow rip this gift off. But that being said—integrity in running a ministry is important.
7
Giving is a part of growing as a Christian. If you find yourself not giving (and I mean in all ways, not just in offerings to the church) you might want to think about what is going on in your maturing process. Is there some worship of material things holding you hostage or are you having problems really trusting in God to provide your security?
8
Paul is not laying down the law on them. And I might add here that there is no law of tithing or giving in the New Testament. That is both good and bad news. The good news is that we do not need to be weighed down with a requirement to judge whether or not we please God. It’s bad, in a way, because there is no upper limit on what you give!
Paul wants the Corinthians to know where they are in their spiritual maturity by telling them this story of the “diligent” giving of the Macedonians.
9
As if that wasn’t enough, Paul then uses the example of our Lord Himself. Jesus was rich because He had the entire universe at His disposal. But He gave up all of that to become, as the writer of Hebrews tell us, “a little lower than the angels” in order to save us. It is this example of giving that should motivate us to give because we will NEVER be able to out give the One who gave His all for us!
10 – 11
This dissertation of Paul’s is not a command but an opinion—brotherly, or even fatherly advice for them. The Corinthians had initially said they desired to collect for the Christians in Jerusalem a year prior to Paul’s writing of this letter. But something had happened that stopped it. It’s possible that all of the infighting drew their attention away, or it’s also possible that the false apostles who came in actually had designs on the money the Corinthians had and didn’t want it going to some other purpose.
This is also great advice for us Christians. If you commit to doing something—follow through, plain and simple.
12
Perhaps what Paul is saying here is that if they stopped collecting because their desire was bigger than their means—don’t let an unattainable goal thwart the entire effort. They may have felt that if they gave an amount that might make them seem very impressive—that they would end up with not enough to survive on themselves. “Don’t do that” Paul says, instead:
13 – 15
I don’t think this is an argument for the redistribution of wealth, but rather a way to illustrate that we need to rely on God. When we have abundance we should feel free to share that with those in need and not hoard it. Likewise then, when we have need, those to whom we shared can give to us from their abundance.
The quotation comes from Exodus 16:18 when the Israelites gathered the Manna. God gives to each according to their need.
The rest of Chapter 8 is basically Paul’s commendation for Titus, and for two brothers whom Paul appointed to accompany the gift to Jerusalem in order to make the Corinthians comfortable with releasing their funds—that it would get to where it was intended.
16 – 17
Titus actually chose to go to Corinth and also wanted to see them grow spiritually in the area of giving.
18 – 19
There are as many names put forth as to the identity of this brother as there are commentators on the subject. It’s not really important, other than to note that he is 1) appointed by the churches (not a Lone Ranger or self-appointed), 2) already a seasoned worker for the gospel (so as not to be tempted to take the money). Notice that the gift is to bring glory to God—when other people see the gift they should not say “Oh wow, you are so giving” but “Look how wonderful God is in providing in this way through His servants.”
20 – 21
Paul restates that his motivation for all of these provisions is so that before men and God he will be blameless. Though Paul knew he could be trusted alone with the funds, he wanted to make doubly sure everyone was comfortable with the arrangement. There’s nothing wrong with going overboard on transparency and integrity when it comes to the ministry and especially financial matters.
22
A third unnamed brother was also to go who was tested through many circumstances and also had confidence that the Corinthians would do the right thing.
23 – 24
So to summarize, Paul reiterates that Titus is coming—as his official representative, and that the other brothers are coming not on their own but as representatives of other churches. This was an official visit and a precursor to Paul coming himself. Titus was to deliver this letter (2 Corinthians) as well.
Conclusions
Advice for the Handler
Go overboard on integrity (do the “honorable” thing before God and men – vs 21)
Don’t hesitate to make others comfortable with how gifts are used (Paul sent someone they trusted)
Advice for the Giver
Give Sincerely, Simply, and Purposefully
Give it to God
Let go of it yourself
Don’t make a big deal of it
Pray that God will use it
Giving is a privilege (vs 4) and should be done according to your ability, not what you see others give.
