How Should Christians Give?

How Should Christians Give? Lessons from Paul's Exhortation in 2 Corinthians 8-9

By Ezekiel Kimosop

Q & A ON PAUL'S APPEAL FOR SUPPORT IN 2 CORINTHIANS 8-9.

QUESTION ONE

Why was the Church of Corinth being exhorted to give in 2 Corinthians 8? 

MY RESPONSE

The exhortation was part of Paul's campaign for donations among the Churches of Macedonia Achaia and possibly Asia Minor as well. The collections or donations were intended for the support of believers in Judea who were believed to have suffered famine at the time. This was an extraordinary giving which came with urgency. 

In 2 Cor. 1:16 Paul reveals that he intended to pass Corinth on his way to Macedonia and back again. These twin visits to Corinth appear to be related to the collections that are the subject of his writing in 2 Cor. 8:16-24, 9:1-14. Paul makes a passionate appeal for support from the Corinthians, a society that was possibly wealthier than the Macedonians. 

Curiously, we learn from 2 Cor 9:1-5 that the Corinthians had failed to fulfill their pledge which they had made on a previous occasion and Paul was compelled to exhort them on the need to honor the pledge to avoid embarrassment. 

It is instructive that the Macedonians, a modest society, had exceeded Paul's expectations through their generous giving despite their deep poverty (2 Cor. 8:1-5). Their response was unparalleled.

QUESTION TWO

Why were the collections taken away from the Church? 

MY RESPONSE

I guess this question has been answered under my response to Question 1 above. 

Titus and other unnamed brothers of good standing among the churches were tasked with the collection of the contributions (2 Cor. 8:22-23). It is important to observe that this giving was voluntary. It was not imposed on believers. 

2 Cor. 9:7 says "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."

This principle has been acknowledged as the guiding factor for Christian giving in the context of New Testament Scripture. 

QUESTION THREE

Are these practices still in the Churches these days?

MY RESPONSE

Some Christian communities practice this kind of giving in certain circumstances. It is a noble thing to support the needy both within and without the walls of our congregations. 

Notice the implication of supporting the needy in Matthew 25:31-46. 

Matthew 25:42-43 says "for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’."

MORAL LESSONS ON CHRISTIAN GIVING

We can draw a number of moral lessons from the Corinthian appeal. 

First, our giving should be sacrificial. It should not be done merely out of our abundance (Mark 12:41-44). 

We learn from 2 Samuel 24:18-25 that David refused to accept the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite for free. He paid fifty sheckels of silver for this piece of land and set up an altar to God. The purchase price was a handsome sum by the standards of his day. 

Secondly, no one is too poor to give to God! (2 Cor. 8:1-2). Never compare your giving to those of others. Again, the moral of Jesus' words in Mark 12:43-44 is instructive. Giving is not about the sum but the sacrifice. 

Thirdly, our giving should be in proportion to one's ability (2 Cor. 8:3). It is about equitable giving rather than equal giving. 

Fourthly, our giving should be purposive. We should not give on a knee-jerk basis. We ought to budget and set apart our giving in advance (2 Cor. 9:5). This does not however imply that we shall not respond to emergency giving where it is legitimate. 

Fifthly, we should honor our pledges. A pledge made to the church is a pledge made to God. This principle however cascades beyond our Christian communities and touches on our moral accountability in our dealing with others. Notice the implications of 1 Timothy 3:7.

Sixthly, Christian giving should be on a voluntary basis. No one should be compelled or coerced to give.

Do not be deceived by conmen who promise a multiplier return for your giving or threaten one with a curse if they failed to give. Of course God does bless the giver but our giving should support legitimate ministry causes. It should also be accountable. Our giving should be consistent with the teaching of Scripture. 

Seventhly, church resources should be entrusted to faithful stewards whose moral accountability is proven. Notice that the Corinthian collections were to be entrusted to Titus and other faithful brethren.

Finally, we should give cheerfully and out of our love for God and His Church of which we are part. 

Sacrificial giving touches God's heart. Notice the illustration in Mark 12:41-44 concerning the widow who gave all she had to God despite her poverty.

This does not however imply that believers should make a vow of poverty and give all their possessions to the church or to a "prophet" or "apostle"! We should provide for our families from the resources at our disposal even as we give to God or support ministry. Jesus' warning in Mark 7:9-13 is instructive.