“Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you. For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.” vs1-2

Paul teaches us how to give. Sadly, so much giving is covetous - to get more money or rewards. Our service, however, is generosity from the heart. Give to the poor saints and to the gospel. Give because God loves you.

First, we provoke others by our zeal [vs2]. “Your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.” Be conscious of this, not as a show off, but in love to the church. Do what God's called you. Some will complain, but don't stop serving Christ because of fault finders. Humble yourself, and serve them too. Maybe you teach, or you give. Maybe you evangelize, or organize prayer meetings. Whatever you do, do it heartily.

Paul's telling the Corinthians that their desire to give provoked others. They got started [vs1]. Now, they are to finish what they started. We don't want houses half built.

Secondly, we don’t want to give covetously [vs5]. “So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not covetously.”

Covetous giving is for approval. Men give to get the favor of man, to get the preacher off their back. Men give to bargain with God, as if giving money can cleanse the conscience. No, the blood has prevailed. Sinners are freely forgiven, and the stain is removed. God blots out transgressions by grace, not by dollars; it cannot be bought. Do you want to stay out of the hospital? Trust Christ, follow Him, and maintain your health. Don’t give to keep God from cursing you.

Our motives are most important. If a man gave his life, but did it to gain a reward, then he gave it in vain. We lay our life down because we’ve obtained mercy. We die in mission fields for Christ’s sake, not because we lack.

Thirdly, give because God takes care of you [vs8]. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

He is able to make grace abound, so that you have all sufficiency! He’s able to replenish you, increase you, or allow you to serve Him with little. Some will give their sons to missions, and lose them. Some will give money, and their business will fail. He is not promising riches. He is saying that if we give cheerfully, His grace will continue to make us serve Him, whether we have a little or a lot. It is not the amount; it is the heart that serves God. Give liberally knowing that God provides. Give mercifully as one that has obtained mercy. Our giving should not be caring about ourselves but others.