But since you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in love we have kindled in you–see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:7
Paul starts out this section talking about the Macedonian church, that even though they were extremely poor and suffering, they were extremely generous in giving. He now commends the Corinthian church in that they excelled at many different areas in life–faith, speech, knowledge, and love. They are now encouraged to excel in giving.
Some of the extremely wealthy people give out of the generosity of their heart, while many are giving just to get a break on their taxes. There are several who are atheists, but are still willing to give to help the poor around the world. The reasons for giving are very different for different people.
People look at those who are extremely wealthy and see how some of them are very generous in giving. They state that if they had the millions of dollars, they would also give generously. There are some believers who are known to think this way.
It has been shown that in a restaurant, believers are among the cheapest tippers. They are stingy with their money. Many do it because they do not have a lot of money. However, a person is to give generously according to what he has, not according to what He does not have.
The purpose of giving this way, is because Jesus gave all. He owned everything and gave it all up to come down to this earth, suffer, and die on a cross so that someone who did not love Him, could be forgiven of all sins. There was nothing more that He could give. He trusted the Father to provide for all of His needs as He poured out all He had for all mankind.
Take a look at your own life and see how you are at giving. If you do give, do you give generously with a joyful heart, or grudgingly just to look good to others?
Trust in God’s provision for all of your needs as you pour out what He has given you to meet the needs of others. Be willing to give with a joyful heart. Excel so much at giving that people will know you as a generous giver. This will be the representation of how Jesus gives.
I pray today that you will know what Jesus has given you; that you will have the same heart as that of Jesus; that you will trust God to meet your needs; and that you will allow God to meet the needs of others through you.
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