Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in His kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, commended the Macedonian church as a model for giving. Here is what he highlighted about them that I can learn from:
They gave sacrificially. It is tempting to give out of abundance or out of what I have left over. In contrast, even though the Macedonians had difficulty meeting their own needs, they gave richly of what little they had.
They gave willingly. Paul didn’t come to them looking for a handout but when they heard the need they wanted to be a part of the gift. Paul may have even initially declined their donation since he says they begged him to take it.
They wanted to join in God’s work. They considered it a privilege to share in the gift for fellow believers. We are one together and they understood this.
Their gift was a response to God. They weren’t trying to earn God’s favor, rather they gave themselves first to Him. They were filled with joy and this exuberant generosity was a natural outflow.
Lord, may I put You first always, submitting myself and giving all of myself to You. May I give abundantly ... and not just out of my abundance. May I give cheerfully and without needing to be pressed, always looking for ways that I can build the Church. And Lord, may I be reminded that everything I have is Yours, including the joy You lavish upon me. Bless You, Lord, for the privilege of giving back.
