Scripture - 2 Cor 8:7 But just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
Observation - Paul is encouraging this community of Corinth; which is a very modern, advanced culture. They are an industrious people that have capitalized on the trade industry by creating a thruway to deliver goods throughout the Asia minor region and the middle east. Paul tells them just as you have excelled in other areas excel in giving. Be better than you were, go for a higher standard. Up to this point the people of Corinth have had a lack of participation in giving and yet were excelling in other areas of their Christianity.
Application - Years ago after giving my life to Jesus I began to learn about the grace of giving. Admittedly it was challenging for me at first. Having the background of a banker I understood cash flow and income statements and that when you subtract 2 from 2 you get 0. Yet somewhere in me God began to challenging me that giving was a part of my relationship with him. So way back then I made the commitment - if God demands 10% then 10% he will get. Since then there have been times in my life where giving was difficult for us financially but never has their been a time where I struggled emotionally to release what God was asking. In fact Saundra and I are diligent not only to give our 10% but to find ways to give offerings.
Why then do people struggle to give tithe (10% of their income) and offerings (financial gifts to meet spiritual needs):
Observation - Paul is encouraging this community of Corinth; which is a very modern, advanced culture. They are an industrious people that have capitalized on the trade industry by creating a thruway to deliver goods throughout the Asia minor region and the middle east. Paul tells them just as you have excelled in other areas excel in giving. Be better than you were, go for a higher standard. Up to this point the people of Corinth have had a lack of participation in giving and yet were excelling in other areas of their Christianity.
Application - Years ago after giving my life to Jesus I began to learn about the grace of giving. Admittedly it was challenging for me at first. Having the background of a banker I understood cash flow and income statements and that when you subtract 2 from 2 you get 0. Yet somewhere in me God began to challenging me that giving was a part of my relationship with him. So way back then I made the commitment - if God demands 10% then 10% he will get. Since then there have been times in my life where giving was difficult for us financially but never has their been a time where I struggled emotionally to release what God was asking. In fact Saundra and I are diligent not only to give our 10% but to find ways to give offerings.
Why then do people struggle to give tithe (10% of their income) and offerings (financial gifts to meet spiritual needs):
- Fear - they are just simply afraid that if they give up their tithe they won't have enough to fix the car if it breaks down or the stove if it goes out.
- Can't Afford It - kind of like fear but when they look at the in's and outs of cash think that if they give they won't be able to make it on what's left. When in fact God promises to make what remains go farther than if they hadn't given at all.
- Failure to take ownership - they haven't fully invested in the work that God is doing. Believing that all the needs are being met by others and failing to take an ownership interest in the work therefore is someone elses' responsibility.
- Comparison - in their minds they are probably doing more than the average person already and therefore to do what is required by God is not really necessary.
- Disobedience - refusing to give -Regardless
- Covetousness - the more they see, the more they want even if they have to spend God's money to get it.
- Greed - feel like its theirs and they aren't giving it up when in reality it isn't theirs and they are going to give it up one way or the other.
Prayer - Father help me to excel in giving. To make it an even greater part of my life. I know the blessing that I receive my making this part of my life and the honor you gain from my obedience.
