You might remember that in 1 Corinthians 16:1-3, Paul gave instructions to the Corinthian church for collecting funds that would be given to the church in Jerusalem. It's not clear from the text why the Jerusalem church was in need, but it may have been connected to the famine they experienced (Acts 11:28) or the general persecution they were under(Acts 8:1).
The Corinthian church was eager to give and promised to do so. Their eager commitment even motivated the churches in Macedonia to do the same(9:2). But Paul wanted to make sure that the Corinthian church followed through with their promised gift, since it likely made up the largest percentage (v.14) and because it was such a significant factor in the giving of others (9:2).
To this end, Paul tells the Corinthians about the Macedonian churches. Despite their suffering and poverty, God enabled them (through his "grace") to give beyond what they normally could. (v. 13) Even in the Greek it is unclear if their "ability" to give refers to available funds or their willingness, though the Greek lends itself a little better to the idea of "willingness".
Our natural tendency is toward selfishness. But God's undeserved favor (grace) will intervene at times and equip us with a willingness to give what may seem an impractical amount to something he is doing, while he continues to provide for our basic needs. (Matthew 6:25-26) God had worked so powerfully in the Macedonian churches that they begged Paul for the opportunity to give! (v.4)
As a brief aside, it should be noted that the Greek word for "saints" in verse 4 refers to those who are "sanctified" (set apart) for the purposes of God. This term can refer to believers in general, not only a select few "Super Christians".
Paul was not expecting the eagerness or level of giving that he received from the Macedonian churches, a poverty stricken community. How could they give when they had so little? What can we learn from the Macedonian churches about giving? You'll notice that their giving was possible because these believers gave themselves to God, surrendering their wills and agendas, and God then directed and enabled them to give.(v.5)
Giving can be a touchy subject. We so easily trust our security and pleasure to what our money can buy or what things we have. And it can be hard and often impossible to simply "will ourselves" to improve our generosity and charity. But the Macedonians didn't simply "will themselves" to give. The will was certainly involved, but they turned to God first, who then enabled them to give. God can help us break out of our distorted prioritization of self and enable us to give financially in ways we once only imagined. Not only that, but God can enable us to find real excitement and joy while doing it! God's grace is waiting for us. Like the Macedonians, our first step is to ask for it.
Next Week- More about the "G" word.
Coffee House Question- What is it about giving that you find most challenging? When do you find it easier to give?
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