In second Corinthians 8 and 9, Paul writes to the Corinthian church regarding the financial needs of the Jerusalem church and his desire that they contribute generously. These two chapters are key chapters on what it means to be generous with our dollars for the work of God.

Often, discussions around giving create a bit of angst because we have experienced a fair amount of pressure from churches we have attended to give generously. Paul makes it clear to the Corinthians that he was not demanding or commanding anything. Rather he says in 2 Corinthians 8:7 that our generosity to God is a grace of our followership of Christ. He says, “Just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” In other words, giving is a grace that we practice in the Christian life along with other graces. It cannot be separated from other parts of obedience to Christ.

Don’t miss that giving is called a grace. A grace is a privilege, an opportunity, an act of obedience that is joyfully practiced. In explaining to the Corinthians about this grace, he uses the example of the Macedonian churches who were churches of extreme poverty. Yet in spite of  that poverty, they exhibited the grace of giving to meet these needs.

Paul writes “And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.” (2 Corinthians 8:1-4).

Did you catch that they gave beyond their ability with overflowing joy and rich generosity? That is a grace. That comes out of an amazing heart of generosity. Rather than saying they were too poor, they pleaded to participate in their giving. Giving is an act of grace and Paul wants us to excel in this grace of rich generosity.

Why would we excel in this generous spirit? In verse 9 he says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” His grace to us was to give everything up so that we could become rich in him. Our grace is to give generously to others as He gave to us. 

Those who understand God’s graciousness and generosity to us respond with the same gracious generosity to Him. Are you excelling in the grace of giving? To be like Him is to be generous, as He was, with our resources to be used for His purposes.

Father. Would you help me excel and specialize in the grace of giving? Give me great joy as I practice great generosity. Help me live with an open hand as you live with an open hand toward me. Amen.