1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Our opening Scripture shows the wisdom of God in giving out of the Godkind of love. The Church that was referred to by the Apostle Paul in the text was not a rich church, rather, it was a poor Church, but they had something unique to them; it is called the grace of liberality. Many times, we think people will give a lot because they are rich. No, it is not always so. Love is the driving force, the engine of liberality. People give much because they love much, not necessarily because they have much. When you are abundantly overwhelmed by love, you become liberal. Sometimes, people think it is “need” that influences giving, that is, when you have much you will give much; but if you have little, you will give little. No, it is not. How come the widow gave her all, the last two mites she had left (Luke 21:1-4)? How come the Macedonian Churches gave much in their deep poverty? What is the drive? Love, of course, is the drive. It is love that drives giving, not prosperity or poverty. God has given us more than we required to be who we are today by giving Jesus, His only begotten Son. He had only one Son, yet He gave Him to us, not sparing or holding back. That’s love in action.
Again, considering the account of the widow who gave her all and last two mites. Love was the reason the woman gave all that she had. It wouldn’t have come to Jesus’ notice if love was not the motive back of her giving. Thank God for the increase in material things, that is the will of God for us but giving of our substance doesn’t count with God if it is not inspired by love. Beloved, don’t make excuses for not giving to the work of God. Don’t say, I will give when I am more blessed than this. You may never give when you get more blessed. But when you start giving at your level, you will give your way into abundance; and when you get there, you will still be giving to the Lord. When liberality brings you into prosperity, it sustains you in prosperity; but when you wait to become prosperous before you give, you may never become prosperous; and peradventure you become prosperous, you will not be liberal; for the liberal soul shall be made fat.
MY SOLID FRONT (YOUR CONFESSION):
In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I declare that the love of God has been shed abroad in my heart; therefore, I am liberal and give generously to the work of the Lord. I am made fat with substance and with liberality in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
Further Meditation:
Acts 9:36-40; Philippians 4:14-19.