2  They gave in spite of hard times

Macedonia was a poor province compared to the rich Corinthian city - yet their giving was generous and overwhelming.  Theirs was a costly giving [verse 2].  So often I have experienced - and heard other evangelists tell the same - that when you travel and preach, it is the poorer churches that respond generously and the richer churches that hold back.

Paul was obviously finding this true in his time too.  However, the giving that hurts often issues forth in abundant blessing as God sees the heart.

So often in our 'middle class' environment we battle with materialistic values all around us and fall into the trap of becoming consumers rather than contributors.  We find ourselves competing with the new kitchen or the new extension, with designer-label clothes and Sky TV.  We decide it's time to change the car, we have to have this season's football shirt and so on and so on.

But the gospel is 'counter cultural'.  It is supposed to challenge the values around us and model a positive alternative.  We should be saying, "There is another way that satisfies and brings peace!"

In view of the hundreds of thousands who are struggling for survival in Pakistan from the recent earthquake, or the fact that one child every minute dies from AIDS in Africa, or that one person a second passes into a lost eternity without knowing Jesus Christ as their Saviour.  These statistics throw our own desires into another perspective.

There are 10,000 people in our parish - of whom less than 4% have opened their life to Christ.  Most will not have heard a clear presentation of the Gospel.  That means they are lost.  What are we going to do about it with our own talents, and our own finances and resources?

It makes buying a Playstation, or redecorating the spare bedroom, or spending £40 on a rock concert of football match seem bizarre in comparison.

All these other things have their place, but in proportion.  There needs to be more of a balance.  We cannot simply say. "God, I amgoing to buy all these things and you can the spare change!".  If Jesus knew about 10,000 people who had not heard about His salvation, what would he do and how would he spend his money?

Return to 'The Grace of Giving'