TOPIC:‌“Giving Beyond Your Ability”

                 by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap

 

TEXT:‌II Corinthians 8:1-9

 

“For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their won” (8:3, NIV).

 

‌Most people believe that the Christian Church is indispensable to living life in the 21st century. The Apostle Paul had this same feeling about the church in the first century. And he wasn't the least embarrassed or hesitant in talking to believers about how it should be supported by their money. To many people a message about money for the support of the church is the last thing they want to have preached to them. But people who get irritated when money is mentioned for the financing of the church should ask themselves this question: What would life be like if there were no church in existence? Can you imagine what would happen if there was no church to attend or Christ to preach?

 

‌It was precisely this thought that Saint Paul was trying to develop in the hearts of these Corinthian Christians of the first century. The Macedonian Christians were an amazing example of what Paul was taking about. We read in verses 2 and 3 these words: “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testily that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.”

 

‌So Paul takes this opportunity to challenge the Corinthians to become like the Macedonians, more disciplined in their giving to Christ. Beyond your ability! That's what Paul is challenging each one of us with by the dedicated giving of these Christians from the north.

 

I.

 

‌As we look at the giving of the Macedonian Christians, let us behold the SPLENDID SCOPE of their giving. Notice again the words of verse 3: “they gave as much as they were able.” Now notice Paul's words: “and even beyond their ability.” For sometime Paul had been organizing a special collection to be given to the poor in Jerusalem. The Corinthian Christians upon hearing about the collection, asked Paul what they could do to help. Paul instructed them what they could do, but such good intentions on their part had not translated into action. For some unknown reason they started to give but then they stopped.

 

‌Now Paul in order to motivate the Corinthian believers in the liberality of giving sets forth the living example of the churches in Macedonia. They gave beyond the call of duty or as it states in our text: “they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.” As measured by any ordinary standard, they entered into the real splendor of Christian stewardship. Permit me to provide you with an illustration of this kind of Christian giving.

 

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