"So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as covetousness.”

Do not give as an act of covetousness. Give because of the grace of Christ.

Don't give to earn blessings, or to keep yourself in God's favor. It cannot be done. Never give to impress people, or because of the high pressure tactics of preachers. Give because Christ died for you, and you want to help others. Give in thankfulness, or it's not accepted.

First, Paul is no false teacher. He has no false motive. He's not asking people to give for his own gain. He teaches the grace and motive of giving. He wants us to prepare and plan. "So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift.” Nothing is by pressure. Everything is by calculating God's grace and being persuaded in our own heart. Nothing is to impress the preacher or to get something from God. It's done to be faithful.

Yes, giving is required. It's something that we must do. “arrange in advance for the gift.” True preachers, however, are concerned about our motives. They don't preach on giving for personal gain. Philippians 4:11-13, 17 "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me… Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit."

They aren't manipulators. They trust Christ for their needs, and serve people.

Secondly, giving is because of the grace of Christ. It is an act of generosity reciprocated. “the gift you have promised”. Oh, how wonderful it is to be influenced by grace - to not only have God's grace in the head, but in heart and action - to say, “Thank you,” to God, because he saved you, and to love other people.

This grace is richness from Christ's poverty, whereby he enriches us with love and obedience, because he came from heaven to die for our sins. 2 Corinthians 8:9 — "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." He suffered the curse, being forsaken by God, so that we could have Christlikeness and God as our Father, so that we could have forgiveness and heaven, so that we can be with God in the riches of his kindness forever lavished upon us because of Christ. He's given us everything, including hearts that RESPOND to grace. He's given us love.

Thirdly, pour out this love generously. Do not hold back. Give your all to the kingdom.

This week, Steve Lawson announced that his church in Dallas Texas found a building. They will purchase and renovate. He plans to die serving there. He's fully committed, and he's asking for great sacrifices to renovate and use it to serve the kingdom. People will give generously for the cause! They'll sacrifice their wants for this great need. They'll prioritize the kingdom in their budgets.

We are to do this, not only for places to meet, but also for the people. We raise up offerings to help the saints in need. We give to advance the gospel. We live for others to know Christ. This is a hard transition, but it is grace. People go from self-serving to eager to serve the kingdom. We are transformed with tangible deeds of sacrifice. We willingly give up all. “A willing gift.”