Excellent Generosity

Sacred Gifts and Holy Gatherings
What We Bring to God

A Generous Gift

2 Corinthians 8:3-9  The Message

The Offering

8 ^1-4 Now, friends, I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which God is working in the churches in Macedonia province. Fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colors: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever they could—far more than they could afford!—pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians.

^5-7 This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives. That’s what prompted us to ask Titus to bring the relief offering to your attention, so that what was so well begun could be finished up. You do so well in so many things—you trust God, you’re articulate, you’re insightful, you’re passionate, you love us—now, do your best in this, too.
^8-9 I’m not trying to order you around against your will. But by bringing in the Macedonians’ enthusiasm as a stimulus to your love, I am hoping to bring the best out of you. You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ. Rich as he was, he gave it all away for us—in one stroke he became poor and we became rich.

For Reflection 

These passages give us an insight into The Way as practiced by the early Churches.  In those days, Church was not just a place to worship once a week.  Church was a life style.   Church was an intimate voluntary sharing of the Spirit and resources for the good of the community.  Each person shared his resources according to his ability so that no one would suffer while others prospered.

Pray

for the wisdom of shared resources. Pray prayers of intercession for the Church.  Pray for compassion that leads to unreasonable trust in the justice exhibited by Christ and the early Church.  Pray for love that leads to extravagant generosity.