Abounding in the grace of giving – Part 6

In 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, Paul wrote to the Corinthians explaining the grace God bestowed upon the Macedonian churches that made them excel in giving. The grace of giving, Paul wrote, manifests in their ability to give generously despite their lack; that is, their generosity towards others manifested not because they had enough, but because of the grace which God bestowed on them. Paul then urged the Corinthians to excel in giving more than in the other graces, which they had.

“Since you excel in so many ways — in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm and your love from us — I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving,” 2 Corinthians‬

Generosity is both a grace and art that is learnt. Some have the gift of generosity than others. Those who operate in this gift could give up all that they have. Some give because they are called to be givers. Some give in obedience to the Word of God, others give because they expect God’s reward; yet still, others give grudgingly.

Even our Lord Jesus taught that giving attracts blessings. In Acts 20:35, Paul repeats a statement, not found elsewhere, but credited to our Lord Jesus about giving. “I have shown you in every way, by labouring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive,’” Acts‬

Givers are needed in the church. Givers support the work of the Kingdom, both within their local churches and beyond their local churches. I am constantly thanking God and praying for families who support my ministry. Their giving is so indispensable in the kingdom. When they give to my ministry, they are indirectly giving to the many pastors whom I support, who cannot pay themselves or many missionaries on the field whom I support their children. When they support me, they equally put food on the tables of many others who lack food. Their support encourages unceasing intercession, both locally and abroad, which I help to fund in various ways. Their giving helps me to support students in primary and tertiary institutions. Givers hardly know how far their generosity can go to support the work in the Kingdom. Only those of us with apostolic grace who can vouch how far their money goes. May God raise and bless many more givers for the work of the kingdom!

Paul in his letter points us to the secret of giving, he said: “And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God,” 2 Corinthians‬

Most times, we are carried away by things around us, so much so that we forget that we are God’s stewards and owe our lives and possessions to God. Many Christians lose sight of this and fall victim to materialism. Nothing has helped to promote vanity and greed for materialism like social media and the desire of many to want to live like celebrities. They follow celebrities on social media and consequently lose their vision and direction in life. Christ’s words seem to have this generation in mind, when He warned about covetousness. “Then he said: “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own,” Luke‬

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