People complain a lot about financial appeals in the church – “All they ever do is ask for money”!
Boy, I don’t know where those people go to church (or even if they do)! All I have to say is, that hasn’t been my experience at all!! The appeals from my internet provider, utilities company and every telemarketer in the country on my phone and Facebook have the Church beat “all hollow” on that score!!
In my Bible reading this morning, however, I was challenged by Paul’s testimony about the Church in Macedonia and their attitude to giving…
Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in His kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia… 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.” (from 2 Corinthians 8.1-5 New Living Translation)
What an attitude!! What a marvelous spirit of generosity!! Makes you wonder where they got it … where they picked that kind of attitude up, doesn’t it?! Well I think the next verses provide an answer…
“You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty He could make us rich.” (verse 9)
Wow! Kind of helps puts everything about this “giving issue” in perspective doesn’t it?! When I really grasp the magnitude and spirit of His gift that will motivate and impact my giving.! Sure want it to!! I believe it will!!!
Coffee With The Lord 