Giving originates with the Lord Jesus Christ dying for our sins. Its origin is election! You have been predestined from the foundation of the world to be a giver. This grace was appointed for you - that you'd be loosed from the bondage of religion and made diligent by free grace, that you'd be enlightened with your eyes opened, no longer darkened by selfishness and lusts, but liberated to see God's atoning love in Christ. To be loosed and made a giver shows God's generosity, indeed. You could never earn the privilege! It came with salvation.

You've also obtained favor to be an example. 2 Corinthians 8:2 - "for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part." The Macedonians were extreme examples of giving. Their role modeling abounded through their poverty. They were poor, so they could give generously and abundantly, and people cannot say, “They are rich. It's easy for them. When I'm rich, I'll give too.” No, they were poor so that grace would be magnified and every believer could be immediately challenged. They did not give when all was well. They sacrificed when they were financially poor themselves!

Secondly, they gave willingly without compulsion. — 2 Corinthians 8:3 “For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,”

Giving must be joyful. It can't be a mere obligation. Let it be done willingly from the heart. 2 Corinthians 9:7 — "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." No pressure. Let duty and joy meet together. Let us be inspired by grace and cheerfulness. Let it never be paying a debt. Generosity arises in the heart; it is an act of love and thanksgiving, manifested by opening the wallet, so another person can be blessed.

Paul did not persuade them. He never twisted their arm. They didn't grudgingly give, like helping someone move on your off day, when you'd rather be elsewhere. It wasn't mere duty. It was a loving response to the gospel and the needs of others. It was love in action.

They wanted to relieve the saints. — 2 Corinthians 8:4 “begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints⁠—” They looked upon them as brothers. They weren't separated by distance. They looked upon them as family, who helped them learn the gospel. Romans 15:26-27 "For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings." They saw their duty to reciprocate the love they'd been shown, as the gospel came to them by the Jews. They didn't say, “Someone else will take care of it,” or, “I'm not rich.” They said, “Let me do what I can.” They didn't say, “One rich person gives more than all of us. He can spare it. We cannot.” They showed the abundance of THEIR generosity. Let each of us show our own.

This grace is rare, where we love people. It's not just the pastor, but poor saints. 1 John 3:16 — "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." The church is commanded to love each other. Therefore, tangible needs are met. Everyone must work, but there's a recourse for hard times, a pool for drought, and a safety net for unexpected calamity.

Let us be united by words and deeds. Never one sided, but tangibly and prayerfully concerned about others. Let's follow this challenging example. We have not lived unwisely by giving to the saints. They aren’t beggars who have no diligence.

Thirdly, this example must be followed. — 2 Corinthians 8:6, “Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.”

It's not enough to desire to do good, or merely talk about it. Grace, like a pregnancy, must come to term to be fruitful. Paul didn't want the Corinthians to miss out on this blessing of generosity. Make the sacrifice, dig down deep in prayer, and do what is right.

Finally, excel in this grace also - the grace of giving. — 2 Corinthians 8:7 “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.”

Excel in it, so you can be complete. Don't say, “I'm eloquent, and I witness. I'm accurate and I write.” Don't say, “I do other things, so I don't have to do this. Giving is not my gift.” No, grow in grace, and be well rounded. Excel in everything.

What a challenge. God's demands humble us, and exclude all boasting. We have more growing to do. We need grace continually. We can't say, “I do this other thing well, so I'm content.” Grow in generosity. Put away selfishness. God's grace is powerful to complete this in our lives!