2 Corinthians 8 (NIV)
1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5And 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. 6So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7But just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us — see that you also excel in this grace of giving.8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9For 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.
10 And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14At 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, 15as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.”
Titus Sent to Corinth
16 I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 18And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
Read this passage at BibleGateway or YouVersion.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
The “NIV” and “New International Version” trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.
January 29th, 2008 at 7:54 am
“they gave themselves first to the Lord “…giving is always when done in faith and with a genuine intention to honor Christ. If we tithe because we “ought to”, its not a joy and it is a good example of how NOT to be rich.
January 29th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Tithe…this word usually makes me say “Well when we make this much then we can tithe.”
I guess when I think about tithing I am only thinking about the money that I am giving away. I don’t think about the gift that Jesus gave me. I pray that when the time comes to give I won’t think about what I am losing, I’ll remember what was given to me.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:38 am
One thing that makes tithing more fun sometimes is to give at least part of it impulsively or in a different way. Like if you sponsor a child, see if you can send an extra gift. If WBGL or someone has some kind of ongoing fundraising stuff, donate part of the tithe to them (with the stipulation that less Christ Tomlin be played, perhaps…). Or if there’s something specific the church is contributing towards, get on board with that stuff. It makes it more fun sometimes to give a specific gift or put the money somewhere directed like that, you know?
I think for so long tithing has been a habit that even though it’s easy to do and I don’t have a problem with the money going out, I would get more joy out of it if I thought about where it was going or tried to direct it towards something. Around Christmas time, sometimes taking part of the tithe and buying presents for the angel tree or something is fun, too.
I mean, it isn’t just about God getting his just due back, it should also be about YOU getting some enjoyment out of how it is helping someone else.
January 29th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I think it’s wonderful how God chooses us to learn certain lessons. God has taught me so much about giving through my wife Anne. She has a very generous heart and I always look to her when it’s a matter of giving. God has and is teaching us so much through this series. . .I wish everyone in the world could hear it and believe it.
God has blessed me with more than I need. I’m Rich. But I will not trust in riches but in Him who rickly provides.