Proclaiming Christ ... For His Glory ... For Your Good

The Macedonian Heart

Is God honored by your giving?  Most would agree that there is ‘giving’ and then there is ‘GIVING.’   A person can give because of obligation or even tax benefits, but is God truly honored by such activity.  Should there not be a place for eagerness, joy, and even love in our giving?  There are examples in Scripture that demonstrate tremendous generosity in the midst of deep sacrifice.  The Macedonians provide one such example.

 

Paul speaks of the Macedonians in 2 Corinthians chapter 8.  The Apostle encourages the Corinthians by highlighting the Macedonian heart.  What lesson did the Macedonians teach?  What was Paul trying to develop in the Corinthian body?  Answer—The proper attitude of giving.

 

Here are some details provided by Paul (2 Cor. 8:1-5) regarding the Macedonians: 

• They were afflicted.
• They lived in poverty.
• They were abundant in joy.
• They gave liberally.
• They gave beyond their ability.
• They gave willingly.
• They begged, with much urging, for the opportunity to give.
• They first gave themselves to Christ.

 

As we reflect upon this text, we recognize that the Macedonians lived with great hardship; yet, they supported the work of Christ with abundant joy.  Their liberal giving came after they had ‘[begged]with much urging for the favor of participation . . .’  All of this came as a result of their faith in Christ.

 

Is this true of us?  Do we long for the opportunity to give to the cause of Christ in spite of our circumstances?  Would we beg the church for the privilege of giving if the plate were not passed to us?  When we do give, do we give with joy?  In order to answer yes to these questions we need to first yield our lives to Christ whole-heartedly.  The Macedonian heart can exist within us.  Only God knows what can be accomplished if we all possessed this heart for giving!

 

Doug Richey, Pastor-Teacher