Giving in Response to Grace

Christians often have a perspective of giving that is at odds with scripture. This blog is called Macedonian Grace because God gave grace to the Macedonians to excel in giving. Few people would readily admit they were called to the grace or spiritual gift of giving and many probably see giving as an uncomfortable chore of believing right up there with fasting. This is born out in the examples of what we give. The next two posts should be read together but for the sake of size I will post them separately. They both point to how we view giving and if we see it in a context of grace. May you excel in the grace of giving. So be it.

Imbalances in Wealth

The problem of the rich having too much and the poor having too little is daily discussion for many in politics. Many think this is an injustice and as such, as God is the divine controller of all things, reflects on God’s injustice or carelessness. Like many of the concerns those who judge God have – why does He allow bad things to happen at all? In this case, God addresses what the rich and poor should be doing as believers in His kingdom.
To the rich, he tells them to give to help those that are poor; and to the poor, he tells them to receive so no one will have too little and no one have too much. Naturally this relieves the two problems of over and under abundance. It makes sense as members of the body of Christ that if one area of the body was receiving too little blood flow that an area that receives much may curtail the use so that some may reach the appendages. Giving and receiving is an encouragement of our faith and a recognition that God is providing.
Many who are rich say to themselves, “look at all I have” as opposed to honoring God and saying, “look at all I have the opportunity to share and provide for others.” God provides for the rich and poor alike and both should be in the business of using that wealth to build the kingdom of God. Now let me encourage you to be like the Macedonians and excel in the grace of giving where the rewards are eternal and the blessings are practical.

2 Corinthians 8:1-7

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you see that you excel in this act of grace also. 2 Corinthians 8:1-7