2 Corinthians 8. As you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in your love for us – see that you excel in this act of grace also (8:7). The Apostle Paul applauds the congregation in Corinth for doing many things well, for excelling in their faith. Yet he asks them to be certain to pursue excellence in one additional thing – the act of grace he refers to here is giving generously.

Paul uses the example of the churches in the Macedonia region who were afflicted and in extreme poverty and yet found joy in being generous. They gave according to their means… and beyond their means of their own accord (8:2-3). It’s interesting to me that Paul draws attention to the poverty of the Macedonian churches who gave generously. Sometimes we think that generous giving is something wealthy people should do, but everyone else who is barely scraping by… should be left alone as they try to make ends meet. That is not Paul’s approach. Paul writes that giving generously is an act of grace for everyone, regardless of how financially comfortable you are.

In encouraging the Corinthian congregation to give generously, Paul explains that giving generously is earnest proof of their love for God and their love for each other (8:8). Generosity is also a matter of fairness – as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness (8:14). Paul takes a very communal view of resources within the Christian community. Those who have something at the moment should give generously, and later, when they are in need, others will supply their needs in the same way. We could learn a great deal from this communal perspective of resources within a congregation!

Paul’s summary statement on generous giving is an interesting choice. He writes, as it is written, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack (8:15). This quote comes from Exodus 16:18 when God provided manna for the nation of Israel to collect on a daily basis. Paul’s use of the phrase at in this text implies that, in the end, our provision comes not from the generosity of others (which may fail one day) but from God himself who delivers to each as he has need. We might be generous today and be in need another day. Ideally our own community would provide for our needs, but it is God who wills and works behind it all to ensure that all our needs are met.

What a good conclusion! We can be generous because God has been kind to us. And God will provide for all our needs.

How are you doing financially? Do you have excess, and could you give more generously? Are you barely scraping along? If so, what is God telling you about generosity? Are you aware that it is the Lord who provides for your needs on a regular basis? What would your giving look like if you trusted Him?