RICHES OF LIBERALITY
2 Corinthians 8:1-15
In today’s text, we see a few things about our offerings unto the Lord. You will recall that in our previous studies, it has been established that our offerings belong to the Lord but that the House of the Lord or men of God are the Channels. Here, Apostle Paul tells of how the churches in Macedonia gave unto the Lord. Let us learn from the Macedonian giving.
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto thy riches of their liberality. Vs 2
The people were not that rich. Some were in deep poverty. Yet they gave liberally. This tells you that there is no excuse for not giving. It is not the size of your offering but the liberality of your heart that matters in giving. You don’t have to wait till you become a millionaire before you start giving. Start now. The Lord knows your size.
And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God vs 5
Your offering is an outward extension of where your heart is. It is a demonstration that your life belongs to God. Since your offering comes out of your sweat, whoever you give it to is partaking of your life. So if you give it to the Lord, it is your life you are giving to Him. But you can’t give to the Lord genuinely without first offering your life to him. That is what the Macedonian church did. They first gave their own selves to the Lord. When you see yourself as belonging to the Lord, it becomes easy to give to him of your substance. So if you are still reluctant to give, check your relationship with him.
Therefore, as ye abound in faith, and utterance and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. Vs 7.
Some Christian virtues and gifts are listed in the quoted verse above. We have utterance, knowledge, diligence and love. But wait, these are not enough until you add giving. See that you abound in this grace (for giving) also”. So giving an offering is a gift as well as a virtue! It also requires grace. We are to offer willingly and not by compulsion.
Finally, we are given one great impact of our giving. It enables the church to minister to the needy vs 14-15. Let us therefore be partakers of the grace for giving quality offerings in the House of the Lord. When next there is a call for offering, think on these things.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, I receive the grace to abound in giving that there be no lack in your House. I offer myself and my substance to you my father.
