2 Corinthians 8

2 Corinthians 8:1

I love teaching through the Bible because it forces me to deal with issues I might otherwise conveniently choose to avoid. Chapters 8 and 9 of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians are one such example, for they deal exclusively with the subject of giving. I’m not alone in my tendency to cringe when the subject of giving comes up, for evidently the Corinthian congregation felt the same way. And Paul knew that, although they were excited about spiritual gifts, they needed to be exhorted about the spirit of giving. You see, on his third missionary journey, as Paul traveled between the churches of Macedonia and Achaia, he took an offeringnot for himself, but for the church at Jerusalem, which was going through hard times financially due to a severe famine in the region. Seeing this as an opportunity for a bonding between the Gentile Christians in Greece and the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, Paul was eager to complete the gift. Yet, although the Corinthian congregation had initially welcomed the opportunity to help their brothers in Jerusalem, after a year had passed, they hadn’t raised any money in the endeavor. So it is this issue Paul addresses in chapters 8 and 9… Macedonia, located in present-day northern Greece, and Corinth, located in the south, Paul wanted to fill Corinth in on what was happening with the believers to the north of them.

2 Corinthians 8:2

The churches to the north of CorinthThessalonica, Berea, and particularly Philippiwere going through tough times, too. Yet they shared generously. In this, I am reminded of the account in Mark 12, where, sitting in the courtyard of the temple, Jesus saw a widow drop two mitesequivalent of an eighth of a centinto the offering. Because Jesus watched how the people gave rather than what they gave, He singled out this woman as the one who gave the most. Like this widow, the church at Philippi gave out of their poverty. George Washington Carver wisely said, “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong because someday in life, you will have been all of these.” Perhaps that is why poor people generally seem to have a greater ability to identify with those in need, have a greater longing for the coming of the kingdom of God, and, as a result, tend to release their finances more easily. Indeed, statistics bear out the fact that it is the poorer segment of any given congregation that supports the ministry. Of the church at Philippi, Paul said, “Although they were in great affliction, they shared out of their poverty.” The result? Paul’s letter to the Philippians is the most joyous of all his letters. How do we keep from becoming small, harsh, and caught up in our own little materialistic worlds? By giving. Giving is a privilege and a joya fact proved conclusively by the Philippians.

2 Corinthians 8:4

Not only did the northern churches give generously, but they also gave consistently. The implication is that, due to their own poverty, Paul was reticent to take their money. But they insisted. Why? Perhaps because of the fellowship that takes place when there is a sharing of finances. “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” Jesus said (Mat_6:21). Therefore, perhaps the Philippians knew that if their treasure went to their brothers in Jerusalem, their hearts would be united to them as well. The pathway to fellowship is often through the pocketbook because our money is representative of our time and energy. Therefore, when you give a check to a brother, a sister, or a ministry, you’re actually giving a part of your life. Thus, the most practical way of laying down your life is to give financially.

2 Corinthians 8:5

Thirdly, the northern churches gave by priority. “We were hoping they would give generously, but they gave more than we hoped,” said Paul. “It wasn’t a matter of giving an offering, for they gave themselves first.” The pastor of a congregation who gives themselves to the Lord will never have to send fundraising letters or collect second offerings. When people have an open heart, they’ll invariably have an open hand. Such was the case in Macedonia. As the offering was being taken during a revival in Africa, a brand-new Christian told the deacon holding the collection plate to put it lower. “Lower, lower, lower,” he saiduntil the offering plate was on the ground. Then he stood up and stepped in. This man understood. This brand-new believer got the picture. He gave himself. Finally, the northern churches gave obediently. They did what God told them to do. The tithe is God’s, but I wonder how many times He hears someone ask Him what He would like to receive above and beyond the tithe.

2 Corinthians 8:6

“You’re known for all of your charismatic expressions,” Paul told the Corinthians. “But don’t neglect the graceor giftof giving” (see Rom_12:6-8). “Lord,” prayed a young man, “I’m going to start a business and of whatever money it makes, I will keep 10 percent and give You 90 percent.” Founder of the Quaker Oats Company, he kept his word and died a wealthy man, even though he gave nine cents of every dime to the Lord.

2 Corinthians 8:8

“I’m not laying the law down on you,” Paul says to the Corinthians, “but here is an opportunity to prove the sincerity of your love for Jesus.”

2 Corinthians 8:9

Born in a borrowed cradle, Jesus preached from a borrowed boat, rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey, ate His Last Supper in a borrowed room, and was buried in a borrowed grave. He who made everything laid it all down and entered into total poverty that I might be rich. “This is the real issue,” says Paul. “Not only did the believers in Macedonia give in their poverty, but to an infinitely greater degree, Jesus gave everything to set us free.” To the person not in love with Jesus, giving is a difficult, painful, arduous, burdensome task. He who loves Jesus, on the other hand, welcomes the opportunity to demonstrate his love.

2 Corinthians 8:10

“Being forward” means it was partly the Corinthians’ idea in the first place that the offering be taken.

2 Corinthians 8:11

“You’ve expressed the desire to give,” Paul says. “Now do it.” Herein lies a great danger for us, for one of the great hazards of Bible study is thinking that by writing something in our notes, or agreeing with it in our hearts, we’re actually doing whatever it is we’re writing down or agreeing with. James likens this to one who looks in a mirror and realizes there should be some changes made, but doesn’t do anything about it (Jas_1:23-24). “Happy are ye if ye do these things,” Jesus said (see Joh_13:17). If you’re basically unhappy, melancholy, depressed, discouraged, or defeated, the reason could very well be that there is something the Lord has told you to do with which you agree theoretically, but which you have failed to work out practically. Her physical condition rendered her ceremonially unclean for twelve years. As a result, her husband would divorce her; the community would shun her; she would not be allowed to worship in the temple. But then the Rabbi from Galilee walked through her city. Thinking if she could even touch the hem of His garment, she might be healed, she did just thatcausing Jesus to call her something He never called any other woman. “Daughter,” He said, “your faith has made you whole” (see Mat_9:22). What faith? Just a simple touch. Forget the big plans, the high hopes, the visions of grandeur. Just do something now. Open your heart. Share with the person who’s struggling financially. Write a letter of encouragement. Pray for the person who’s hurting. Do something. Do anything. Just do it. The blessing is not in agreeingit’s in doing.

2 Corinthians 8:12

Don’t worry about giving what you don’t have. Just do what you can.

2 Corinthians 8:13

“I’m not trying to get you to go out on a limb and give more than you have,” Paul says. “But even as the northern believers shared generously, so should you because you don’t know when the situation will change unexpectedly. You don’t know when you will need their help.” This is a principle not only of finances but of life. “Give and it shall be given unto you,” Jesus said (Luk_6:38). Whether regarding money or mercy, goods or gracewhatever you extend will come back your way. I wrestle with this in my own life and in the life of our congregation. We’ve been given so much. Is there equality? Do we say, “We’ve been so blessed, and now here’s what we can do for others who are less fortunate”? Or are we guilty of heaping things upon ourselves with no thought of equality?

2 Corinthians 8:15

The Israelites were to gather just enough manna to last one day. Those who decided to “stock up” found their supply stinky and full of worms. So, too, the longer we walk with the Lord, the more we discover that those things that used to impress us quickly become wormy and stinky to us. Does this mean we’re not to have anything? No. Abraham, the father of faith, was a very wealthy man. But he was completely ready to sacrifice Isaachis only possession that meant anything to him. When God is your only passion, He can trust you with anything He wants to send your way. That is why Paul could say, “I’ve learned both to abound and to be abased” (see Php_4:12). It’s not wrong for us to have thingsbut it’s wrong for things to have us because God wants us to be free. It’s an issue of the heart.

2 Corinthians 8:16

“You’re bogged down, Corinthians,” says Paul, “but, just as He has in mine, God has put it in the heart of Titus to care about you, to get you back on the right track.”

2 Corinthians 8:18

A brother whose passion for the gospel was known throughout all of the churches accompanied Titus. Some believe this one was Luke. Regardless of who it was, what a wonderful thing to be said about any man.

2 Corinthians 8:19

Regarding the collecting of the offering, it was not one person who handled the moneybut rather a group of men. This way, there would be accountability and integrity.

2 Corinthians 8:22

“Receive this team with love,” Paul instructed the Corinthians, “for then they will see our pride in you is well-founded.”