Bulletin 09-28-02

Being Liberal Givers
Like the Macedonians

Giving is a major theme during the holiday season. When it comes to gifts, we enjoy seeing (or hearing of) the reaction of those who receive the gift, especially children when their eyes “light up” at a present. Truly in those situations we experience the saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). However, should not this spirit of giving be found in us all year? This does not mean that we should have “Christmas presents” all the time (who could afford that?), but it does mean that we should be willing to give of our time, talents, and money to the Lord. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7), and He still says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”! What will help us to be the kind of givers God wants all year? To answer this question, let us examine the Macedonians, whom Paul highly commended for their liberal giving (2 Cor. 8:1-5). When we see giving as they did, and apply those principles to our lives, we will be liberal givers.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality” (2 Cor. 8:1-2). Paul regarded the liberality of the Macedonians a result of the grace of God in their lives. “Grace” in this context often refers to the collection Paul was taking for the Jerusalem church (cf. 2 Cor. 8:6-7, 19). How is contributing money “grace”? “Grace” means favor, good will, or an undeserved gift. Although the “grace of God” usually refers to God’s gift of salvation through Christ, the connection here is that through giving, the church has an opportunity to participate in God’s grace by imitating, in a limited sense, Jesus’ sacrifice. God is exceedingly generous (Rom. 5:6-8; 8:32), and the Macedonians’ liberality was an expression of the divine grace they had received.

That they saw giving as a priority was evidenced by the fact that their generosity was exercised in the most adverse of circumstances (2 Cor. 8:2). They were in a great trial of affliction (persecution related cf. 1 Thes. 2:14-16; 3:4), and they gave even though they were in deep poverty. They themselves lacked many things materially, yet they still cheerfully gave. Notice two contrasts Paul pointed out. First “great affliction” contrasts with “abundant joy.” They knew the joy of being the recipients of God’s free giving, and in that joy they gave freely (cf. 2 Cor. 7:4). Second, “deep poverty” contrasts with “riches of their liberality.” One can be in material poverty, but still be rich (cf. Rev. 2:9). Do we, like the Macedonians, see giving as a priority?

Paul reminded the Corinthians of the Macedonians, “For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints” (2 Cor. 8:3-4). Their giving did not need to be coerced, for Paul said that they “were willing of themselves.” They gave not just according to their ability (which all are to do, 1 Cor. 16:2), but they gave beyond their ability! Verse 4 reveals the extent to which they considered giving a privilege. “Praying us with much intreaty” is saying that they begged Paul to be allowed to give! How many members of the church today beg the elders to take their contribution? Key words in these two verses reveal why they begged Paul to be allowed to give. The word “gift [grace, ASV]” shows that they regarded this opportunity as a favor and/or privilege (cf. Acts 20:35). The word “fellowship” shows that they viewed this act of giving as joint-participation in a much larger work. The word “minister-ing” shows that they viewed giving as Christian service. After all, the funds went toward the furtherance of the gospel! Do we, like the Macedonians, see giving as a privilege to the extent that we would beg to be able to contribute?

Of the Macedonians, Paul wrote, “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God” (2 Cor. 8:5). Their liberality in giving exceeded Paul’s expectations. Paul would have been pleased for them to have given according to their means, but they gave even beyond that! Why were they able to give so liberally? Because they “first gave their own selves to the Lord”! Their giving money followed their giving of themselves to Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 5:15). Their giving, therefore, proclaimed (symbolized) that their lives were given to God. Such expressions as “Actions speak louder than words,” and “Putting your money where your mouth is” are ideas the Macedonians fulfilled by their giving. Giving of oneself is the only thing that a person can give that reaches the highest point of value (cf. Mt. 16:26). When a person gives himself or herself to God, then that person will have the kind of attitude the Macedonians had toward giving. Do we, like the Macedonians, see giving as a proclamation of our faith?

The Macedonians are great examples of giving. Do we see giving as a priority, privilege, and proclamation? Have we first given ourselves to the Lord? Let us resolve now and in the coming year to give as we have prospered (1 Cor. 16:1-2). We have done good works this year, and in order to continue and do more, finances are needed. Will we be liberal givers?


	December 12, 2004