It was cool to see God work in this area in my life the last couple weeks, I do tithe my money but it was the end of the month and I just didn't have much extra. I was helping out this homeless woman and God knew she needed money. I gave her my time, and opened my home to her a couple nights and drove her to places. Along our journey on 2 different occasions God put it on other peoples hearts to give her money, before she even had a conversation with them.
Give what you can and God will take care of the rest!
Notes:
Paul writes about generosity in this chapter. Paul says that if you give to those who are undeserving, you are displaying the grace of God poured out on you. We are undeserving of God's grace, but He bestows His grace upon us regardless.
- Verse 2 For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
Sometimes, we look at our finances, and think- boy, we don't have any left to give. Giving should be sacrificial. The church Paul is talking about gave "in a wealth of generosity" when they were going through a major hardship and extreme poverty. They gave even though they themselves were suffering financially. Paul was also surprised at their giving because they first tithed to God, then after, they gave to Paul and his co-ministers to provide for their needs. Paul says in verse 3 that they, gave according to their means, and beyond- on their own accord. This means, they gave because they wanted to, not because they were obligated to.
- Verse 9 For you know the grace of Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Poor and rich in this verse do to refer to monetary status. Jesus, who was in heaven, came down from earth in humility, and experienced life and death on earth (poor), so that we might come to know Him and be filled with all the blessings of salvation and relationship with Him (rich).
- Verse 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness, your abundance at the present time should supply their need...
Paul is not telling you to give money to someone if it provides for them but leaves you struggling. He is just suggesting that when you have more than you need, to help your fellow believers who are in need.
When we realize that all things come from the providing God, we also recognize that all the money we have is not really ours to begin with. When we come to the place in our hearts and minds that all that we have is not ours but God's, what we are given by Him- we can give generously and joyfully.
- 01-30-12
Application:
- Do you view everything you have as yours, or God's?
- If you give, do you give joyfully? Do you give sacrificially?
What Do You Think?
:)
Date: 02/04/2012 | By: Robyn
Tithing
Date: 01/31/2012 | By: Sue
I believe a tithe is monetary. Any scripture I see that speaks about tithing is speaking of money (or your source of income). My Bible dictionary says it's a "tenth of any property or produce." Sometimes I think people just don't want to accept that fact. Tell you anything about how they feel about money?
Re: Tithing
Date: 02/01/2012 | By: Pruning Me
Good point Sue! I should have maybe expanded on tithing a bit in this chapter, since some may not know what tithing is. Oooh- that's a good article for the "pruning me" section!
Giving
Date: 01/31/2012 | By: Ralph
I have heard some people say we as Christians do not have to tithe/give offering with money. Is a tithe/offering only monetary?
Re: Giving
Date: 02/01/2012 | By: Pruning Me
Yes Ralph, the Bible does ask for monetary tithe- and a tithe is 10%. This should be the standard for your giving. You can also give above and beyond 10% which is what Paul was saying in this chapter that the church was doing. You can also give of your time, energy, skills etc., in addition to your monetary sacrifice.