Topic: Grace Giving (Second Corinthians 8)
In the book “Run with the Horses” by Eugene Peterson tells how he saw some birds teaching their young to fly. Three young swallows were perched on a dead branch that stretched out over a lake. “One adult swallow got alongside the chicks and started shoving them out toward the end of the branch – pushing, pushing, pushing. The end one fell off. Somewhere between the branch and the water below, the wings started working and the fledgling was off on his own. Then the second one. The third one, however, was not to be bullied. At the last possible moment his grip on the branch loosened just enough so that he swung downward, then tightened again, bulldog tenacious. The parent pecked at the desperately clinging talons until it was more painful for the chick to hang on than risk the insecurities of flying. The grip was released, and the wings began pumping. The mature swallow knew what the chick did not - that it would fly - that there was no danger in making it do what it was designed to do.” Peterson continues to write, “Birds have feet and can walk, birds have talons and can grasp a branch securely. They can walk and they can cling. But flying is their characteristic action and not until they fly are they living at their best, gracefully and beautifully.
Man was designed to worship through giving of the tithe, which is 10%. Some people try desperately to hold on to themselves, to live for self. They look so bedraggled and pathetic doing it, hanging on to the dead branch of selfishness and self-centeredness, afraid to risk themselves on the untried wings of giving. Yet many people don’t think they can give the tithe because they have never tried.
The apostle Paul had appealed to the churches in Macedonia to help some believers near Judea that had an especially great need. In response to his request, the Macedonian churches gave generously. In verse 2, our text informs us that they gave out of much affliction and poverty. The Roman government had plundered most of their money and possessions. Yet they freely gave to the work of the Lord. In verse 1 Paul writes: “and now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.” The grace Paul is talking about is the grace of giving which is over the tithe of 10%. God’s grace had been poured into them, and they responded with grace giving. The word “grace” occurs five times in these nine verses. It is inescapable; graced by God we cheerfully give to the Lord’s work. The Macedonians were poor. The word poor used here means deep. It is the word which refers to a ship that goes down to explore the bottom of the sea. The Macedonians were at the bottom. They were dirt poor.
When God’s people, motivated by His amazing grace, give of their time, talents, and finances, God’s work gets done. When God’s people give as they should, the needs of the poor are met. They discover that God does care about them and that he comes to them through the generosity of His people. When it comes to giving, Max Lucado is absolutely correct when he says, “You don’t give for God’s sake. You give for your sake.” Giving is for our own good. Luke 6:38 says, “Give and it shall be given unto you…” This is a fundamental truth of life and a constant message in the Scriptures. Through the prophet Malachi (3:10) God says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” As we faithfully give, God blesses us by meeting our needs abundantly. We were, indeed, created to soar on the wings of giving.
See you Sunday!
Dr. Scott Kallem