II Corinthians 8:16-24Paul continues explaining Christian giving and how it relates to reconciliation. He has related to us that giving is a grace. He has reminded the church at Corinth that the poor Macedonian church gave liberally to the church at Jerusalem. He encourages the church at Corinth to give as well.
There are three principles given by Paul concerning Christian giving: (1) They were to give to a specific cause — poor saints in Jerusalem; (2) They were to give to reputable messengers — Titus and Timothy (II Corinthians 1:1); (3) They were to give in reality and not merely promise.
The Verses
16-21 The word “thanks” here is the Greek “charis” which means grace. So he is really saying, “Grace be to God…” Paul had the taking of this offering in his heart. He assures the Corinthians that he and the other two (Titus and Timothy) will take good care of the offering and will be honest with it. He will take such good care of it that both men and God will be satisfied with the way they handle it.
The lesson for us here is that the finances of the church should be an open book to the congregation, in order that there be no question about how the offerings are handled.
Sometimes churches fear that if the congregation knows everything about the finances they might stop giving in times of plenty.
If giving is a grace, then Christians will want to give more in a time of plenty, because they’ll see that God is blessed, He blesses the church and will continue to do so.
Listen! This business of following the Lord is not about rules. It is about responding to His love with our love. “We love Him because He first loved us.” (I John 4:19)
22. Paul trusts Titus. He asserts that Titus will make a report, Paul will make a report and they’ll both report back to Corinth after they’ve been to Jerusalem.
If you really mean business with the Lord and His church, don’t show it with words, show it with your giving. Your giving should emanate from a grace in your heart.
Here’s the lesson we can take from II Corinthians 8:
Giving has nothing to do with parting with 10% of your income. It has everything to do with giving 100% of everything you are, everything you do and everything you have to the work of the ministry of reconciliation, which work Christ has given to the church.
Giving is the way God has determined that we would express our love for Christ and
our appreciation for what He has done for us in giving us so great a salvation.
If Christians would get away from the idea of some rule for giving and learn to practice New Testament giving, there is not a bank vault in existence that could hold the money that would be available for the work of the ministry.
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