Give Like The Macedonians

Giving is an opportunity to partner in the work of the Lord.

God owns everything and He invites us to join Him in sharing what He provides. Generosity proves that faith and our finances are inseparable. We worship the God who multiplied the fish and the loaves. He can certainly do the same with what we give – whether big or small. The Macedonians in 2 Corinthians 8 are an example for us. The Apostle Paul wrote that in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity. They gave according to their means and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging to take part in the relief of the saints. They demonstrated that their love was genuine by first giving themselves to the Lord. He was rich, yet for their sake and ours, he became poor, so that by his poverty we all might become rich.

Do you realize just how rich you are? Or does comparison with others rob you of the joy, peace and contentment of Christ? He has blessed us beyond measure and made us stewards of all that He provides. This is a great month to analyze your giving. Here are a few thoughts to consider. Have you budgeted your giving for the year? Do you have a plan for giving? Is it weekly, monthly, or quarterly? What are your future giving goals? Is there someone to hold you accountable? I pray that, like the Macedonians, you will overflow with joy and join the Lord in His work.

And if credit card debt prevents you from being generous, I recommend Christian Credit Counselors. They’ll create a debt management plan that works for you. For more information call the Crown Helpline: 800-722-1976 or visit online at crown.org/ccc.