2 Corinthians 8:1-15

And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

(v1-4, NIV)

Paul begins to tell those at the Corinthian church about the Macedonian church. Those at the Macedonian church were giving generously even though they were poor and facing "a severe test of affliction" (v2, ESV). Their generosity is characterized by their overflowing joy and extreme poverty. Generous giving isn't about the absolute amount given. Rather, it is generous if you gave out of poverty. This means that a person who barely had enough for himself or maybe did not even have enough for himself still gave out of what little he had. Often times we think that we are generous when we are giving a little out of our vast wealth. These people didn't even have that much for themselves and they still gave. What's also important is that they gave joyfully. Can you imagine if they didn't even want to give, but they gave anyway? Maybe they felt forced to give or obligated somehow. If someone gave something to you but you knew they didn't want to or weren't happy about it, it's a little sad. You might not even want what the person is giving to you just because their heart isn't in it.

And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

(v5, NIV)

Their giving is first to the Lord. This could mean they gave their proper 10% tithe first. It could also mean that they simply served in their capacity towards the Lord in whatever they were committed to at the time. It could mean other specific things too. Regardless, their priorities are first and foremost to God. Their giving was in line with God's will.

I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

(v8-9, NIV)

Paul is encouraging those at the Corinthian church to give like those at the Macedonian Church. Jesus is our model. Jesus became poor for us. In the same way, we should be willing to become poor for the sake of others. We are also made rich because of Jesus. However, this is not necessarily rich with money. No, we are rich with this saving grace. We now have an opportunity to be called righteous through Jesus' sacrifice.

Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

(v11-12, NIV)

They have the desire, so they should just go ahead and follow through. It doesn't matter whether they have very little; they can still follow through with their willingness using what little they have. It's sad to hear when people use their inexperience as an excuse not to serve or do something. To a certain extent it is a worthy notion, but it only leads me to question their willingness. If they truly desire to follow through with whatever it is, their inabilities should not keep them from following through with their willingness. You can give what you have. You can eve work on what you lack. Don't make excuses; follow through with your willingness.

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."

(v13-15, NIV)

Now in giving the benefit goes both ways. It's not simply that something is taken away from the giver in order to help the recipient. In addition to that, the giver receives something from the recipient. The benefit goes both ways.