Giving

2 Corinthians 8. Paul had been in the process of collecting a love offering for the struggling Jerusalem church. The church at Corinth had promised to contribute to this cause over a year ago. Now here, in ch.8, Paul calls upon them to make good on their promise and teaches them (and us) some valuable principles on giving. He uses the churches of Macedonia as his example. He held them up as his exhibit A. Look how they gave. That's how we're to give. Note:
1. They Gave Personally: "they first gave themselves to the Lord" 8:5
2. They Gave Anonymously: They were only identified as "churches of Macedonia" 8:1
3. They Gave Generously: Out of their "deep poverty" they gave "liberally". 8:2
4. They Gave Proportionately: "according to their ability." 8:3
5. They Gave Sacrificially: They gave even "beyond their ability...free willing." 8:3
6. They Gave Eagerly: "Imploring us", 'begging us to let them give,' Paul said. 8:4
7. They Gave Obediently: "they gave....by the will of God." 8:5

Then Paul uses the greatest example of all: Our Savior Jesus Christ.
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." 8:9.
Outside of God mandating that we bring all our tithes and offerings to the storehouse of God, why do I give? I give because He gave His all for me. What about you? Do you give to God in tithes and offerings on a weekly basis? Do you give back proportionately, sacrificially and all of the other principles above, and do you give consistently? What happens when you miss a Sunday or two? Do you just scratch those offerings off, or do you, when you return to God's house, bring ALL the tithes to God? If you are a cheerful giver (9:7), you will give consistently and eagerly. Let's be like the Macedonians, and give our all unto God!