THE GRACE OF GOD FOR LIBERALITY
Wednesday 15
“Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia.”
2 Corinthians 8:1 (NKJV)
READ: 2 Corinthians 8:1–15
A number of things can be learned from the lives of the Macedonian believers. They were bestowed with the grace of
liberality—they had the grace to give even when they were passing through tribulations and trials of afflictions (2 Corinthians 8:2). Their abundance of joy and deep poverty abounded in their richness in generosity (2 Corinthians 8:2). The Bible says they were willing to give according to and beyond their ability (2 Corinthians 8:3).
They were imploring and pleading that the Apostles—Paul and his team—would receive their gift and love offering being sent to the saints in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:4).
Beyond what Paul and his team hoped and expected, they first gave themselves to the Lord—they were reborn—and they gave themselves to the Apostles by the will of God (2 Corinthians 8:5). They were committed and loyal to the Apostles. This shows that their heart was right. They wanted to follow the spiritual authority over their lives (2 Corinthians 8:5; Hebrews 13:7,17).
There is a grace to give willingly without being coerced. This grace to give should always be asked from God by every believer. If you find it difficult to part with what you are blessed with by God, it means you are tightfisted or stingy—such an attitude leads to lack and penury:
24 THERE IS ONE WHO SCATTERS, YET INCREASES MORE; AND THERE IS ONE WHO WITHHOLDS MORE THAN IS RIGHT, BUT IT LEADS TO POVERTY.
25 THE GENEROUS SOUL WILL BE MADE RICH, AND HE WHO WATERS WILL ALSO BE WATERED HIMSELF.
Proverbs 11:24,25 (NKJV)
Be willing and enthusiastic about giving. When it comes to giving to God and the cause of His kingdom, you should be willing and enthusiastic about it (2 Corinthians 9:7).
The Macedonian believers were willing with all readiness of heart to give to other believers in Jerusalem who were in distress (Galatians 6:9,10). Whenever you have the opportunity to give to whatever is of God, count it a privilege and do it with joy in your heart. The Macedonians were happy to give; this should be imbibed by every believer in Christ (2 Corinthians 8:2).
We could see that the Macedonians first gave themselves to God, and that made it easier for them to give what they had to God (2 Corinthians 8:5). A believer who has genuinely and totally given himself to God will not find it difficult to give what he has to God (2 Corinthians 8:2–4). If you are still struggling or arguing before you give your substance to God, it means you are yet to give the totality of yourself to God.
If you have actually given your whole heart to God, giving any other material thing to God and His kingdom should not be difficult for you (Luke 8:1-3).
If Jesus Christ is truly your Lord, He should be the Lord of all in your life, including your finances.
Remember, whatever in your life that you are yet to submit fully to God will become another god! Take a step now and surrender all.
Re f l e c t :
• Have you genuinely given yourself totally to God, including your finances?
• Is there any area of your material life that you are withholding from Him?
• When last did you give towards God and His kingdom with joy and willingness, even beyond what was expected of you?
Peace.
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