"But as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you-see that you excel in this act of grace also. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love is also genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich."
II Corinthians 8:7-9
What is this "act of grace" to which Paul is referring? Giving. Giving what? Money. Some may think it is shameful of Paul to incorporate the Gospel into a discussion of financial stewardship. Those same people would feel likewise about Jesus. The truth of the matter is this: scripture does marry the Gospel to the principles that drive our giving. Try as we might, they cannot be divorced! We will attempt to convince ourselves that our love of Jesus and the fulfillment of his kingdom work cannot or should not be related to our money, but we soon find that this effort to soothe our guilty conscience fails. Paul deliberately interjects the Gospel into his teaching on giving. All things for the believer, including giving, are to be shaped by the Gospel. Read II Corinthians 8-9. While doing so, ask yourself if what you are reading can be confirmed in the realities of your personal life, your family, and your church. Is your heart tender toward the biblical principles of giving? Let us pray for one another that this grace would excel both personally and corporately, at home and in our churches.
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