True giving (1)

      

'...see that you also excel in this grace of giving.'
2 Corinthians 8:7 NIV

How's your giving been lately? Paul tells the Corinthians: '...see that you also excel in this grace of giving.' (2 Corinthians 8:7 NIV) Then he challenges them with the example of the givers in Macedonia: '...we must tell you about the grace...given to the Macedonian churches. Somehow, in most difficult circumstances, their joy and the fact of being down to their last penny themselves, produced a magnificent concern for other people... they were willing to give to the limit of their means...without the slightest urging from me or anyone else. In fact they simply begged us to accept their gifts and so let them share the honors of supporting their brothers in Christ. Nor was their gift...a mere cash payment. Instead they made a complete dedication of themselves first to the Lord and then to us, as God's appointed ministers.' (2 Corinthians 8:1-5 PHPS) I love the heart of the Macedonian church. There is so much we could learn in those few sentences about the right attitude in giving. Notice, the Macedonian givers: (1) First gave themselves to the Lord, without reservation. (2) Understood that everything they possessed was through God's grace alone. Paul said that the way he knew the Macedonians had given themselves to the Lord, was that they begged him for the offering plate. Wow! When was the last time you sat in church, anxiously waiting for the offering to be taken because you couldn't wait to give? This is not giving because I'm is begging, or the ministry will go under, or you feel guilty, or you're trying to broker a deal with God. No, this is giving out of the overflow of God's goodness to you. This is true giving! I hope you next time as you are sitting in church writing your tithe check that you'll jump up with enthusiasm because of the overflow of goodness by God to you...you are loved!