2 Corinthians 8:3-5 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
Several important principles are given in these verses about Christian stewardship. First, the Macedonians gave according to what they could at the time and their ability. Those who had more could give more. God blesses some people with significant incomes that can be a blessings to others. This should be considered the minimum for Christian giving. Give as the Lord has given to us. Second, they went even beyond this and gave sacrificially. This calls for an even deeper faith and trust in God who provides for all our needs. This type of giving is a display of love for God and love for others. Third, they gave voluntarily, by their own free will. They were not coerced or tricked in any way. They took the initiative when the need was presented. Fourth, they begged to help those in need. There was no reluctance or need for someone else to beg them to give. They saw the need and asked Paul how they could help out. Fifth, their giving to others was a reflection of how they had given their lives already to the Lordship of Christ. Christian stewardship should be anchored in the entirely sanctified life.
These five principles can be good guides for our giving today. In the materialistic world we live in today, people accumulate many things in their homes. A thriving business is the self-storage industry. People have too much to put in their houses. The deeper issue is one of priority: who or what is most important in your life? If God is first, then what we do with our resources should indicate this.
For older posts, click here.