2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.- 2 Corinthians 8:14
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When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians about completing their collection for the believers in Jerusalem, he began with the example of the Macedonian churches. Despite their severe trials and extreme poverty, their hearts overflowed with joy and generosity. Paul called this “the grace of God” at work among them (v.1). Their giving was not driven by guilt or pressure, but by grace.
They “gave according to their means… and beyond their means, of their own accord” (v.3). What was their secret? Verse 5 reveals it: “they gave themselves first to the Lord.” Their generosity flowed from surrender. Before they gave their money, they gave their hearts. True giving always begins there.
Paul wanted the Corinthians to experience this same grace—not simply to fulfil a promise (v.11), but to grow in Christlikeness. “see that you excel in this act of grace also” (v.7). Notice Paul’s language: giving is a grace to grow in, not a duty to perform. When grace grips our hearts, generosity naturally follows.
The heart of the passage lies in verse 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. ” Jesus Himself is the ultimate example of generous grace. Though He possessed all the riches of heaven, He laid them aside to take on our humanity, bearing our sin and shame, so that we might share in His eternal riches.
That’s why Christian giving is never about the amount we give—it’s about alignment with his heart. Are our hearts aligned with His? When our giving reflects His grace, it brings joy, not reluctance. It meets real needs while also transforming us. We give not to earn favour, but because we have already received undeserved favour.
Paul concludes with a reminder that our giving expresses God’s desire for fairness: “The goal is equality” (v.13). The early believers shared what they had so that no one would be in need. This echoes the manna in the wilderness—those who gathered much did not have too much, and those who gathered little did not have too little (v.15). Grace makes us content with what we have and generous toward those who lack.
So, when we give—whether time, resources, or encouragement—let us not give to earn God’s merit or out of obligation, but out of gratitude. Grace received becomes grace given. Giving is a fruit of grace, not a meritorious act.
Reflection:
1. How does remembering Christ’s grace toward you reshape your attitude toward giving and generosity?
2. In what ways can you “excel in the grace of giving” this week—freely, joyfully, and sacrificially?
Prayer:
Dear gracious Lord, thank You for the indescribable gift of Your Son—Jesus Christ, who became poor so that we might become rich in grace. Teach us to give as He gave—willingly, joyfully, and generously. Free our hearts from attachment to the fleeting worldly possessions, and fill us with Your Spirit of grace, that our giving may reflect Your love and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.
Click to Read
When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians about completing their collection for the believers in Jerusalem, he began with the example of the Macedonian churches. Despite their severe trials and extreme poverty, their hearts overflowed with joy and generosity. Paul called this “the grace of God” at work among them (v.1). Their giving was not driven by guilt or pressure, but by grace.
They “gave according to their means… and beyond their means, of their own accord” (v.3). What was their secret? Verse 5 reveals it: “they gave themselves first to the Lord.” Their generosity flowed from surrender. Before they gave their money, they gave their hearts. True giving always begins there.
Paul wanted the Corinthians to experience this same grace—not simply to fulfil a promise (v.11), but to grow in Christlikeness. “see that you excel in this act of grace also” (v.7). Notice Paul’s language: giving is a grace to grow in, not a duty to perform. When grace grips our hearts, generosity naturally follows.
The heart of the passage lies in verse 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. ” Jesus Himself is the ultimate example of generous grace. Though He possessed all the riches of heaven, He laid them aside to take on our humanity, bearing our sin and shame, so that we might share in His eternal riches.
That’s why Christian giving is never about the amount we give—it’s about alignment with his heart. Are our hearts aligned with His? When our giving reflects His grace, it brings joy, not reluctance. It meets real needs while also transforming us. We give not to earn favour, but because we have already received undeserved favour.
Paul concludes with a reminder that our giving expresses God’s desire for fairness: “The goal is equality” (v.13). The early believers shared what they had so that no one would be in need. This echoes the manna in the wilderness—those who gathered much did not have too much, and those who gathered little did not have too little (v.15). Grace makes us content with what we have and generous toward those who lack.
So, when we give—whether time, resources, or encouragement—let us not give to earn God’s merit or out of obligation, but out of gratitude. Grace received becomes grace given. Giving is a fruit of grace, not a meritorious act.
Reflection:
1. How does remembering Christ’s grace toward you reshape your attitude toward giving and generosity?
2. In what ways can you “excel in the grace of giving” this week—freely, joyfully, and sacrificially?
Prayer:
Dear gracious Lord, thank You for the indescribable gift of Your Son—Jesus Christ, who became poor so that we might become rich in grace. Teach us to give as He gave—willingly, joyfully, and generously. Free our hearts from attachment to the fleeting worldly possessions, and fill us with Your Spirit of grace, that our giving may reflect Your love and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.