Theme: Excel in Giving
Text: 2 Corinthians 8:7
Excel in Giving
Naturally, we are tempted and more enthusiastic about getting, and retaining than giving. Paul remembered the words of our Lord Jesus Christ related to giving and recorded in his preaching saying, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35). Solomon says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25). God has set an example for us through giving his only begotten Son (John 3:16, Romans 8:32). He also gave us the Holy Spirit without limit (Luke 11:13). God keeps on adding material blessings. He also expected His worshippers, and followers to honor him with their offerings. Solomon advises the worshippers to honor God with wealth, and first fruits. All are obligated to honor God (Proverbs 3:9). God never would like to withhold the blessings of all those who walk blamelessly (Psalm 84:11). Give to God proportionately according to the way the Lord has blessed us. The real comparison comes here in the areas of giving to God. There is no idea of subscription but proportionate giving is a must (Deuteronomy 16:16-17). The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Paul exhorted the Church at Corinth to excel in giving to God.
Enjoy in Giving
The thump rule for giving to God and to the needy is love to God. God has left a challenge to all the Tithe payers that he would open the windows of heaven and pour out the overflowing blessings upon them if they are faithful in paying their Tithe (Malachi 3:10). This is the secret to prosperity and success. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a CHEERFUL GIVER (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). “You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.” (Deuteronomy 15:10). Jesus said to his listeners and followers the secret of receiving more from the Lord is to give more. “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and run over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” (LUKE 6:38). Jesus observed the giving of the Widow and commended about it though it was merely two coins compared to others who gave to God was higher and larger but proportionately they gave lesser than the Widow (Mark 12:41-44). The human eyes and their evaluations are always different from the eyes and evaluation of God.
Empower in Giving
Paul wrote to the church at Philippi that giving to missions must be spontaneous and without compulsion and comparison. “And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica, you send a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.” (Philippians 4:15-17). Paul wants to commend this aspect of giving ability (2 Corinthians 8:3). Solomon puts this as a blessed act. “He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9). Further Solomon says ‘He who gives to the poor will never want...’ (Proverbs 28:27). Jesus has given another rule for giving to the poor and needy as secret and sincere giving. ‘But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving will be in secret, and your father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.’ (Matthew 6:3-4)
Apostle John too talked about giving to the missions in his third epistle, “Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore, we ought to support people like these, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.” (3 John 5-8).
