April 6, 2022
To Find Joy in Being Generous, One Final Idol Had to Fall
2 Corinthians 8
Michael Parisi
Central Truth
True generosity is impossible when money is an idol of the heart.
Key Verse | 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.
2 Corinthians 8
Encouragement to Give Generously
1 We want you to know, brothers, 1 8:1 Or brothers and sisters about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor 2 8:4 The Greek word charis can mean favor or grace or thanks, depending on the context of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you 3 8:7 Some manuscripts in your love for us —see that you excel in this act of grace also.
8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 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. 10 And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”
Commendation of Titus
16 But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. 17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going 4 8:17 Or he went to you of his own accord. 18 With him we are sending 5 8:18 Or we sent; also verse 22 the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. 19 And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. 20 We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, 21 for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man. 22 And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers 6 8:23 Greek apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.
Listen to the Podcast
Listen NowDive Deeper | 2 Corinthians 8
In this chapter, Paul is describing to the church in Corinth the faithful generosity of the churches in Macedonia despite their difficult circumstances. Paul is using this letter to encourage the Corinthians by reminding them of the many things they are already doing well, but he also takes this opportunity to call them to examine their generosity.
This vividly reminds me of a conversation I had with my wife Melinda back in 2015. Around this time, I was still less than two years into my walk with the Lord; but I was growing in my faith daily, and I was constantly sharing my excitement for the Lord with Melinda. I was regularly telling her that I was committed to follow Jesus in "everything."
After one of those conversations, Melinda, like Paul, reminded me of the many things I was doing well in my faith journey; however, she also gently reminded me that "everything" should also include our finances. For me, that was the light-bulb moment. It was finally time for me to face the fact that I had allowed money to become an idol in my life that needed to be knocked down once and for all. That was the moment when I realized that God had given me so much, not just so I could build my own kingdom on earth, but rather so I can give to others out of the abundance He has given me (2 Corinthians 8:14). From that point forward, only by the grace of God, I have become a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
I thank God often for that moment when He allowed me to truly understand that being "rich" has nothing to do with how much money I have. Rather, I am now "rich," and will be forever, because I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. He died on the cross for me so that I can be forgiven of my sins and experience the abundant life given to those who choose to put their trust in Him.
Discussion Questions
1. Is money an idol of yours like it once was for me? How will you overcome this in your life? Whom will you share this struggle with?
2. If someone could see all the details of your finances, would they see financial activity that honors the Lord? Could the conclusion be drawn that you are a devoted follower of Christ based on how you spend your money? Would you be embarrassed for other Christ followers to see how you spend money?