The Grace of Giving

Paul writes,
And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace
that God has given the Macedonian churches.

Out of the most severe trial,
their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty
welled up in rich generosity.

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,
and even beyond their ability.
Entirely on their own,

they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing
in this service to the saints.

But 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.

I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love
by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

For 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.

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.

Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it
may be matched by your completion of it,
according to your means.

For if the willingness is there,
the gift is acceptable according to what one has,
not according to what he does not have.

(2 Corinthians 8:1-4,7-12;
All scripture taken from New International Version.)

Is YOUR willingness to give matched by YOUR completion of giving,
according to what YOU have?


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