Paul spoke by The Holy Spirit in 2 Corinthians chapter 8:
1 Beloved ones, we must tell you about the grace God poured out upon the churches of Macedonia. 2 For even during a season of severe difficulty and tremendous suffering, they became even more filled with joy. From the depths of their extreme poverty, super-abundant joy overflowed into an act of extravagant generosity.
FATHER intends for us to walk in “super-abundant” joy at all times no matter what our financial state. We may be facing extreme difficulty and tremendous suffering but our joy cannot be taken away from us if we don’t allow it.
As I give according to what The Holy Spirit instructs, I know that blessing will flow both to the recipient and my family. The orientation to scarcity departs from my mindset for this is where the adversary wants to challenge us. The adversary wants to convince us to no longer trust FATHER’S Word in the area of prosperity.
3 For I can verify that they spontaneously gave, not only according to their means but far beyond what they could afford. 4 They actually begged us for the privilege of sharing in this ministry of giving to God’s Holy people who are living in poverty. 5 They exceeded our expectations by first dedicating themselves fully to the Lord and then to us, according to God’s pleasure.
I must say that I have not experienced anyone “begging me” to share in helping those living in poverty. It is clear they had the revelation of FATHER’S Heart to those who are impoverished. Don’t get me wrong, I am overjoyed by every person’s giving to those who are impoverished. However, the churches Paul is referencing were extremely intent on giving… enough to be included in Scripture.
Paul continues:
6 That is why we appealed to Titus, since he was the one who got you started and encouraged you to give, so he could help you complete this generous undertaking on your behalf.
7 You do well and excel in every respect—
in unstoppable faith,
in powerful preaching,
in revelation knowledge,
in your passionate devotion,
and in sharing the Love we have shown to you.
This list of attributes seems to be what we all seek out and want to be known for. How many of us are known for our unstoppable faith? Our ability to preach in a powerful manner? The next attribute is especially intriguing- revelation knowledge! People will go to great extemes in order to unlock some new hidden revelation that no one else has been able to see.
We all want to be known for passionate devotion and that is a good thing. The Corinthian church was complemented for sharing the Agape Love with Paul and his associates.
Paul was not finished in verse 7:
So make sure that you also excel in grace-filled generosity.
Grace-filled generosity was the one thing left to be fulfilled. Those believers were excelling in other area but they need encouragement in the area of generosity. Paul continues:
8 I’m not saying this as though I were issuing an order but to stir you to greater Love by mentioning the enthusiasm of the Macedonians as a challenge to you. 9 For you have experienced the extravagant grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although He was infinitely rich, He impoverished himself for our sake, so that by His poverty, we could become rich beyond measure.
Everything I write is intended to help us all mature to greater Love! How are we to walk in this greater Love if we have difficulty in being generous without regard to our current state? Love and trust in FATHER go hand in hand. Trust requires discipline to respond to The Holy Spirit when He directs us to give.
Are you known as being generous by those whom you encounter? Did Jesus barely supply food to those who hunger just to meet some “minimum standard”?
10 So here are my thoughts concerning this matter, and it’s in your best interests. Since you made such a good start last year, both in the grace of giving and in your longing to give, 11 you should finish what you started. You were so eager in your intentions to give, so go do it. Finish this act of worship according to your ability to give. 12 For if the intention and desire are there, the size of the gift doesn’t matter. Your gift is fully acceptable to God according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 13 I’m not saying this in order to ease someone else’s load by overloading you, but as a matter of fair balance.
Giving generously is an act of worship toward FATHER. Our generosity reflects our trust IN HIM as OUR PROVIDER. Why do you think greed is the root of all evil? If we can’t truly hear and understand thus embrace the revelation of Grace-filled generosity, we will not ascend to full maturity as Sons and Daughters.