June 11, 2022

II Corinthians 8: 3 (NIV)

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.

If you’re generous, you don’t give till it hurts, you give until it feels good.*

We hear about athletes who give 110 percent but we know it’s not possible to give more than 100 percent - don’t we?

Paul had appealed to other churches to provide financial assistance for their brothers at Jerusalem who were in dire need. In his petition to the affluent church at Corinth, he is not-so-subtle in his attempt to shame them by sharing the example of the churches in Macedonia. They, while poverty-stricken and persecuted themselves, were able to joyfully and generously share a gift for their suffering brothers in Jerusalem. Not only did they give as much as they could – which others might claim that they, too, had done – but, he reports, they managed to give beyond their ability. How is that possible?

In verse 5, Paul gives the magic formula by which the Macedonians were able to defy the laws of nature. First, “they gave themselves to the Lord.” Full surrender to God enabled them to accomplish the miraculous. Second, “they gave themselves to others in keeping with God’s will.” They loved others more than they loved themselves and they sought God’s guidance in determining how to demonstrate that love.

Do you want to do more for the Lord than you are doing now? Do you dare step out in faith and say, “I am yours, Lord. What do you want me to do?” Are you able to “excel in this grace of giving” (verse 7) like the Macedonians? Are you prepared for the overflowing joy that will be your reward for giving 110 percent?

I give what He asks and enjoy what He promises.*