“And herein I give my mind: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do [start], but also to be willing a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.” (vs10-11)
The Son teaches us to give as the proof of our love. He laid down His life, so lay down your lives, sacrificially giving, as He did for you. He gives DAILY, being gracious to us, so let us believe that we’re to abound in being gracious also. Don’t be negligent.
The gift of giving is from God who for Christ’s sake puts love in you, causing you to respond PROPERLY to His grace - “Moreover, brothers, we do you to know of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; how that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their generosity” (vs1-2). You give NOT because you want to get a blessing meritoriously but because you’re thankful for what you have. You have love in your heart FREELY because God’s done so much for you. God is love, so He gives to us by the merit of Christ; we give back, seeing Christ, because we are loving now too - “For to their power, I bear record, yes, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves; praying us with much urging that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the sharing in of the service to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God” (vs3-5).
It doesn’t matter what you have, whether little or much: only do what you can, and it is plenty The Macedonians didn’t have much, but they abundantly gave, helping others, proving their love, and encouraging the saints - “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man has, and not according to that he has not“ (vs12). It isn’t if you have a lot of gifts but if you give a lot with what you have (Luke 21:4).
God’s grace isn’t feelings but feelings and deeds. It isn’t merely, “I’d love to help”, or, “I’d love to see a church in my area”, but it is GIVING to the cause, concretely obeying by deeds (vs10-11).
God’s love is not wishful towards you. He doesn’t look upon you saying, “I’d love to help”, and do nothing about it. He laid down His Son’s life, He gave us the promises, He saves us by the Spirit, and He receives us continually as PROOF that His love is genuine. Prove yours - “I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the diligence of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 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 be rich” (vs8-9). Loves shows. Don’t be negligent in any responsibility because you prosper in another area, but abound to every good work as laid before you in Christ - “Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as you abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also” (vs6-7).
Be a generous DOER of deeds. Hold Christianity so truly and dearly that you obtain mercy to write the check, to organize the home, and to do everything HOVERING around the Center of Life. “Because of Christ and for Him” is the motive of giving.
audio:
http://www.sasolo.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonID=8610121241
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