INTRODUCTION
One tells the story of a man reared in the hills of West Virginia. He had never seen a large city, modern inventions, or neon lights. He marries a girl just like himself, and they spend all their time in the back woods. In time they have a son and name him Junior. When Junior reaches his teen years, his father begins to worry about his future. He’s afraid his son might get a job in the city and not be prepared to face the real world because of his backwoods upbringing. He and his wife decide to start saving so they can take Junior to the city and introduce him to the other side of life. After three years, the big day arrives. Planning to spend a few nights in a fancy hotel and take in all the sights, they toss their belongings into the old pickup. As they approach the city, Papa gets a little nervous and instructs Mama to stay in the truck while he and Junior look around, then they will come get her. As they pull up to the motel, a doorman meets them. Papa and Junior walk toward the lobby in disbelief. When they step on the door mats, the doors automatically open. Inside they see statues and chandeliers. To the left a waterfall. In the front is a mall with shoppers going in and out of stores. Down below is an ice-skating rink. As they take in the sights, they notice a clicking sound. Looking around, they see a little room with opening doors. People walk up, push a button, and the doors open. People come out and others go in. Papa and Junior can’t believe their eyes. Then an old wrinkled up lady walks up and pushes the button. The doors open, she walks in alone, and the doors close. Not twenty seconds later the door opens and out walks a gorgeous blonde in her twenties. Papa’s eyes light up. He nudges Junior and says: "Hey, Junior, go git Mama."
Though the story is somewhat humorous, it illustrates how greedy we often are. We want something for nothing and instantly. In sharp contrast to this mindset is what God's Word says: we are to give not gather, and our concern should be on others rather than ourselves.
As Paul pens this epistle to believers in Corinth, he writes to a church with a great deal of wealth and influence. Sometime prior to this, they committed to give to an offering Paul was collecting for the impoverished saints in Jerusalem. Yet for one reason or another, they put aside this project and turn their concerns elsewhere. Paul now encourages them to follow through with their previous decision.
These verses relate some very important reasons why Christians should give. Giving is an intragal part of living transformed lives and experiencing transformed churches. When we recognize all we have comes from God, belongs to God and is to be used for God, it transforms our way of thinking and this in turn transforms our actions.
Interestingly, Paul doesn’t use the word money. This reminds us giving involves more than paper and coins. While money is required to execute God's work, transformational giving involves much more than an act of throwing money in an offering plate. Stewardship involves our money, time, talents and anything else furthering God’s kingdom.
I. IS ENCOURAGED BY OTHER’S EXAMPLE (1-7)
As Paul motivates them to give, he cites the example of the Macedonians. Romans ruled this region in upper Greece and believers suffered great persecution. Christians faced idolatry, philosophy, and many other temptations. No doubt their suffering affected them economically. In spite of their situation, they begged and pleaded to participate in Paul’s offering. He didn’t have to ask them to give; they did it voluntarily.
Having given their lives to God, they realized all their possessions belonged to God anyway. God allowed them to use their belongings, but they realized they had nothing apart from him. Because of this, they wanted to give to others. They also gave beyond their means. They gave more than they could afford. Surely they must have believed God would bless their endeavor.
We find a similar example in the Old Testament where God instructs Moses to tell Israelites to raise a contribution. The purpose was to build a sanctuary. These people, like the Macedonians, suffered persecution and were probably not wealthy, but all those with a willing heart gave. The people were excited. They gave freely of what they brought out of Egypt. They gave of their material possessions, their time, their talents, and their skills. So generous was their giving Moses had to ask them to stop.
In contrast to the Macedonians and Israelites, the Corinthians were not overly concerned about giving. Their previously expressed desire to give to the impoverished saints in Jerusalem was derailed by a loss of enthusiasm.
Others provide good and bad examples of giving. If we have given ourselves to God, all we have belongs to him. He expects us to be good stewards of our time, talents, skills and finances. Like the Macedonians, we need to give voluntarily and cheerfully for God loves a cheerful giver. God does not want to pry gifts from our hands. He wants us to give freely and gladly. No one should have to beg us to give so God’s work can flourish.
II. IS INITIATED BY CHRIST’S EXAMPLE AND OUR LOVE FOR HIM (8,9)
If the example of the Macedonians did not spur the Corinthians to give the example of Christ should. And their love for him should motivate them to give.
In Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary and in the Father's willingness to allow it, we see the supreme example of giving. Though Jesus possessed all the glory and majesty of heaven, he became a servant for us. Though he was rich and owned all things, he gave it up for us. He possessed a heavenly home but traded it for a stable. He chose persecution, suffering, and shame. He gave up heaven’s glory for a sin cursed world so people might know forgiveness through faith in him.
Giving is at the very nature of Christianity and the gospel itself. If Christ was willing to give freely, we should too.
John Wanamaker made a trip to China to see how the money he gave to missions was being used. As he traveled through the country, he came upon an old farmer plowing with a crude instrument. The plow was drawn by an ox and a young man. Out of curiosity, Wanamaker asked for an explanation. The man explained how the chapel down the road needed a steeple so the church could be seen from miles around. The members prayed about the matter but just did not have enough money. The man's son said: "Let us sell one of our oxen and I will take the yoke of the ox we sell." In response to the explanation, Wanamaker prayed, "Lord, let me be hitched to a plow, so that I may know the joy of sacrificial giving."
Christ’s example and our love for Him should motivate us to transformational giving.
III. IS NECESSARY BECAUSE OF HUMAN NEED (13-15)
Jerusalem attracted the poor. It was populated by tradesman and artisans. Famine struck the land resulting in great poverty. The Christians were especially poor because of the persecution they faced. Many Jewish Christians were ostracized because they accepted Christ. Because of this situation, Paul encouraged Christians he met in other places to give for their relief. He didn’t demand it but encouraged it.
Paul's idea seems to be that no Christians should live in poverty when other believers could help alleviate it. Believers whom God has blessed should help those who suffer. Paul doesn’t mean Christians should give so much they become poor. The point is there should be equality among fellow Christians. We should joyfully give to our brothers and sisters in Christ. This giving should come from a generous heart not selfish motives.
Chuck Swindoll poses the following questions for refelction when giving: "Do I really believe there is a need. Am I responding out of pressure or because I really care. Is my gift an appropriate expression of my income or is it more of a last-minute, unplanned get-it-over-with act. Have I prayed, or is this impulsive giving. Is joy prompting me. Am I generally thrilled about what God is doing in my life as well as through my giving. Does generosity characterize my life."
IV. PROMOTES GOOD WILL (13-15)
The majority of those Paul encourages to give are Gentiles. Giving to the impoverished Jewish Christians in Jerusalem would prove to the Jews the Gentiles were true converts to Christianity and had love for them. By this act of giving, an important union would be forged between the two groups.
Our giving shouldn’t be limited to fellow Christians but should include all people no matter who they are. Giving this way and in the name of Jesus points them to him and affirm our love for Him and them. It gives us opportunity to tell of his love and may lead to witnessing opportunities.
CONCLUSION
Giving that transforms is encouraged by the example of others, initiated by the example of Christ and our love for him, necessary because of human need, and promotes good will.
Martha Snell Nicholson wrote a poem entitled TREASURES.
One by one God took them from me,
All the things I valued most,
Till I was empty-handed;
Every glittering toy was lost.
And I walked earth's highway, grieving,
In my rags and poverty,
Till I heard His voice inviting,
'Lift your empty hands to Me!'
So I turned my hands toward heaven,
And he filled them with a store
Of His own transcendent riches
Till they could contain no more.
And at last I comprehended
With my stupid mind and dull,
That God could not pour His riches
Into hands already full!
