A Biblical Model for Giving
8: 1-8
A biblical model for giving DIG: From First Corinthians 16:1, written about a year earlier, and Romans 15:25-27, written shortly after Paul had revisited Corinth, what is this collection all about? What do you learn about the Macedonians from their giving? In light of some of the struggles in Corinth, why would Paul call their attention to the Macedonian example?
REFLECT: What motivates you to give money? What motivates you not to give? What does it mean to give ourselves to God? Does the Bible say that you should tithe ten percent? How do you determine the difference between your “wants” and your “needs?” Were you taught about giving to the Lord when you were growing up? How can you teach your children now?
It is impossible to outgive God.
How people view money is an effective barometer of their spirituality. Money is neither good nor bad in itself; corrupt people can put it to evil uses, while godly people can put it to righteous uses. Though it is morally neutral, what people do with their money reflects their internal morality. In the words of Yeshua: Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Luke 12:34). So, while the Bible doesn’t forbid possessing money, it does forbid loving it, warning that the love of money is a root of all evils (First Timothy 6:10). Loving money makes people forget God (Deuteronomy 8:11-14; Proverbs 30:9), trust in their riches rather than Him (Job 31:24-28; Psalm 52:7; Proverbs 11:28), steal from God (Malachi 3:8), and ignore the needs of others (First John 3:17; Proverbs 3:27).
The Bible also gives guidelines on how to spend money. It is to be used to provide for the needs of one’s household (First Timothy 5:8), pay debts (Romans 13:8), and save for the future (Proverbs 21:20 and 30:25). Having met those basic obligations, believers are ready to give money to further the Kingdom, which results in greater giving from God. It is impossible to outgive Him. The promises associated with giving should stimulate believers to be sacrificially generous givers. Sadly, the powerful lure of the world’s advertising, slick appeals from purportedly godly ministries, self-indulgence, and lack of faith all hinder believers from experiencing the full blessing of giving.182
Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You for not only giving us the wonderful gift of salvation, but also giving us joy on earth as we lovingly give back to You! Two wonderful gifts that you have given to us are prayer and giving. In prayer we enjoy the pleasure of fellowship with You, and in giving we enjoy pleasing You. It is true that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Giving takes our eyes off our own circumstances and it reaches out with a helping hand to love and to comfort someone. What a great example, giving of Yourself to rescue mankind! You left heaven’s glory, humbled Yourself, took on the form of a servant and became obedient, even to death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-11). What great love and mercy You showed!
Giving is a pleasure as we offer our love back to You. It is a blessing to give; yet when we give, You return a greater blessing back on us, by Your loving approval. Thank You that it is not the size of the gift that gets your biggest approval; rather it is the size of the love from our heart that gets Your biggest approval. It is always a great joy to please You! In Yeshua’s holy name and power of His resurrection. Amen
In these verses Paul used the example of the Macedonian’s remarkably generous response to the collection appeal to motivate the Corinthians to carry out what they had previously shown themselves ready to do. In doing so, Paul gives thirteen examples of godly giving.
1. Giving is motivated by God’s grace (8:1): Now, transitioning to a new subject, brothers, their relationship restored, we must tell you about the grace God has given the congregations in Macedonia, whom we use as an example of giving (8:1). The three churches Paul had in mind here were Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. Macedonia was a terribly poor region, ravaged by wars and plundered by the Romans. But despite their deep poverty, the Macedonian believers were amazingly generous (2 Corinthians 11:9; Philippians 2:25, 4:15 and 18). The Corinthians were apparently unaware of the magnitude of the Macedonians’ generosity, prompting Paul to tell them about it. Their giving was not motivated primarily by philanthropy or human kindness, but by the grace of God at work in their hearts. One of the effects of saving, transforming, sanctifying grace is a longing to give generously and sacrificially to those in need, especially to other believers.
2. Giving transcends difficult circumstances (8:2a): Paul’s strong language vividly depicts the Macedonians’ great ordeal (Greek: dokime, referring to a trial) of affliction (Greek: thlipsis, literally, it refers to pressure, as in crushing grapes; figuratively, it describes the spiritual pressure the Macedonians endured from their poverty and persecution). Scripture repeatedly describes the suffering endured by the Macedonian churches (Acts 17:5-8; First Thessalonians 2:14-15; Second Thessalonians 1:4; Philippians 1:29). But the Macedonians rose above their difficult circumstances. They did not allow their situation to have a negative effect on their giving. In the midst of their trials, they put the needs of others, whom they had never met, ahead of their own. Though their poverty may have limited the amount they could give, it did not diminish their love. Devout believers give no matter what the situation, because the worst circumstances cannot hinder their devotion to Yeshua Messiah.
3. Giving is not hindered by poverty (8:2b): To express how little the Macedonians actually had, Paul described their impoverishment in strong language. Even though they were desperately (Greek: bathos, meaning extremely deep) poor. Or you could say, “They had hit rock bottom.” The poverty (Greek: ptocheia, meaning having almost nothing, or being forced to beg to survive) they experienced is likened to Messiah’s poverty when He emptied Himself, taking on the form of a bond-servant (Philippians 2:7). A related word, ptochos, is used to describe the blind and the lame (Luke 14:13 and 21), a destitute widow (Mark 12:42), and Lazarus the beggar (Luke 16:20). The Macedonians’ confidence that God would supply all their needs freed them to give generously. Devout believers do not wait until they have more money; they give despite their poverty (see the commentary on The Life of Christ, to see link click Je – The Widow’s Offering). Giving is not a matter of how much one possesses, but is an expression of an unselfish and loving heart. The Macedonians’ refusal to allow their poverty to stifle their generosity made them models for biblical giving.
4. Giving is with abundant joy (8:2c): The Macedonians did not give grudgingly, reluctantly, out of a sense of duty of duress. They gave out of an abundance (Greek: perisseia, meaning a surplus or an overflow) of joy. They were never motivated by fear of divine punishment or of Paul’s displeasure. They gave gladly, freely, and joyfully, knowing that God loves a cheerful giver (9:7). In other words, the Macedonians’s joy transcended their pain, sorrow, and suffering. Paul wrote the Thessalonians, “You, indeed, became imitators of us and of the Lord; so that even though you were going through severe troubles, you received the Word with joy from the Ruach Ha’Kodesh” (First Thessalonians 1:6, and also see Acts 5:41). Their giving reflected that reality, as they joyfully gave of what little they had. They rejoiced at storing up wealth in heaven (Matthew 6:20, 19:21; Luke 12:33), knowing that the greater blessing is to the giver, not the receiver (Acts 20:35), and that ADONAI will give back in greater measure, give and it will be given to you (Luke 6:38).
5. Giving is generous (8:2d): Paul now explicitly states what has been implied throughout the passage, piling up words to express the profound generosity of the Macedonians. They overflowed in a wealth of generosity. Overflowed translates perisseuo, the verb form of the noun translated abundance above. Scripture uses it to describe the surplus goods of the rich (Mark 12:44), an abundance of material possessions (Luke 12:15), God’s saving grace that abounds in sinners (Romans 15:15; Ephesians 1:7-8), the abundant hope produced by the Ruach Ha’Kodesh (Romans 15:13), the abundant comfort that believers have in Messiah (1:5), and God’s abundant grace toward believers (9:8). Though they were not rich in material possessions, the Macedonians did possess a wealth of generosity (Greek: haplotes, meaning liberally, but can also be translated simply or sincerely). It is the opposite of being double-minded whose ability to give is crippled because of selfishness. But the Macedonians were rich in single-mindedness, giving no thought to themselves or to the world.183
6. Giving is proportionate (8:3a): Paul had first hand experience of the Macedonians’ generosity (Philippians 4:15-18). I tell you they have not merely given according to their means. The Bible sets no fixed amount or percentage for giving (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Do – When You Give to the Needy, Do Not Do It to be Honored by Others). That would prove sacrificial for some but inconsequential for others. However, many churches can get pretty legalistic about giving ten percent. Taken from the TaNaKh (the Old Testament) they declare that it is the “biblical mandate for giving.” But if they really want to follow the biblical mandate of the “Old Testament,” they should encourage their members to give much more. In the Torah there are three main tithes, which equaled about twenty-five percent (see the commentary on Deuteronomy Cx – Do Not Neglect the Levite)!
7. Giving is voluntary (8:3b): The Macedonians giving was on their own initiative and of their own free will. They were not coerced, manipulated, or intimidated. It is possible that Paul, aware of their deep poverty, had not even asked them to contribute to the destitute Jews in Jerusalem. It is evident from 8:10 and 9:2 that about a year had passed since he first told the Corinthians about the collection. When Paul told the Macedonians about the zeal of the Corinthians to contribute, the Macedonians were also moved to give (9:2). Events had then come full circle. The Corinthians’ zeal had initially prompted the Macedonians to give, now Paul held them up as an example of sacrificial giving for the lagging Corinthians to imitate.
8. Giving is sacrificial (8:3c): The Macedonians gave according to what they had, but in proportions that were sacrificial. In other words, they have given beyond their means; beyond what could reasonably be expected of such poor congregations. Life was difficult for them. They faced extreme poverty and persecution. Yet, despite their desperate circumstances, they joyfull gave with no regard for themselves, compelled by the needs of the poor Jewish believers in Jerusalem. They believed God’s promise to supply all their needs (Philippians 4:19), and refused to worry about them (Matthew 6:25-34), gladly placing themselves in deeper dependence on Him. Like David, who would not give the Lord something that cost him nothing (see the commentary on the Life of David El – David Builds an Altar), and the poor widow who gave all she had (Mark 12:42-44), the Macedonians gave with selfless abandon.
9. Giving is a privilege, not an obligation (8:4): Paul once again stressed that he in no way pressured the Macedonians to give. Instead, they begged and pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service for God’s people. The Greek word begged is deomai, and is a strong word meaning to implore. It is used in Luke 5:12 of a leper who implored Yeshua to heal him, in Luke 9:38 of a father’s desperate plea for Messiah to cast a demon out of his son, and in Second Corinthians 5:20 begging sinners to be reconciled to ADONAI. The Greek word for privilege is charis, which is commonly translated grace. They literally begged for the blessing of helping to meet the needs of believers they had never met. They did so, not out of a sense of obligation, but out of the generosity of their transformed lives.
10. Giving is an act of worship (8:5a): Also introduces the next feature of the Macedonians’ giving. They didn’t do this in the way Paul had expected. He had hoped for an offering, which they did give freely, but they first gave themselves to the Lord. The Greek word for first (protos) has the meaning here not of first in time, but of first priority (Mark 6:21; Luke 19:47; Acts 13:50, 16:12, 17:4, 25:2, 28:7 and 17). The Macedonians’ first priority was to give themselves wholeheartedly to the Lord, and giving financially to the church followed. The supreme act of worship is not giving money, attending services, or singing worship songs, but giving oneself (Romans 12:1-2). As a holy priesthood, believers are to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Yeshua Messiah (First Peter 2:5), the most important of which is themselves. Only when a devout life, given to Messiah wholly, does financial giving become an acceptable act of worship.
11. Giving is submitting to biblical authority (8:5b-6): Having given themselves to the Lord, the Macedonians also gave themselves to Paul, Titus, and Timothy. In fact, it was their devotion to the Lord which led them to submit to the leadership of their pastors. It is God’s will (8:5) that believers submit to those over them in the Lord. Hebrews 13:17 instructs believers, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your lives, as people who will have to render an account. So make it a task of joy for them, not one of groaning; for that is of no advantage to you. Confident that the Corinthians would follow the example of the Macedonians and submit to their pastors’ direction, Paul urged Titus to bring this same gracious gift to completion among you, since he has already made a beginning of it about a year earlier (First Corinthians 16:2) when he brought the severe letter to them. So, Paul through his letters and Titus through his visit had both informed the Corinthians about what they encouraged them to do.184
12. Giving is closely tied to other godly virtues (8:7): Giving does not take place in a vacuum, isolated from other godly virtues. It cannot be done contrary to what is in the heart, for that would be hypocrisy. Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthians, “Just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in diligence of every kind, and in your love for us – see that you excel in this gift too (8:7). The Macedonians had shown by their astonishingly generous response to Paul’s appeal for the collection. When he likewise urged the Corinthians participate, it was an opportunity for them to demonstrate the genuineness of their own godly virtues. True love never leaves us content merely to talk; it has to be expressed through our actions (Luke 19:1-10; First John 3:16-18).185
13. Giving is proof of love (8:8): As he concluded his discussion of a biblical model for giving, Paul reminded the Corinthians that he was not issuing an order. That emphasized yet again the fundamental principle that giving in the church is voluntary, freewill giving. Had Paul prescribed an amount or a fixed percentage, the Corinthians’ giving would have been in obedience to an order. Rather, Paul challenged the Corinthians to prove the genuineness of their love against the diligence of the Macedonians. The true test of love is not feelings, but actions: If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar. For if a person does not love his brother, whom he has seen, then he cannot love God, whom he has not seen. Yes, this is the command we have from Him: whoever loves God must love his brother too (First John 4:20-21). The voluntary, generous, sacrificial giving modeled by the Macedonians was an example not only for the Corinthians, but also for all believers. It is the path to experiencing the rich blessings of ADONAI in this lifetime and for eternity.186
Leave A Comment