2 Corinthians 8:1-5

THE OUTWARD LIFE OF A STEWARD
Giving

Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For… they gave as much as they were able, and… beyond their ability… they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints… they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us.

The Macedonian churches were facing a devastating multi-year famine. In spite of this struggle, Paul had told them other believers in Jerusalem were in even greater need then they were. Paul reports in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For… they gave as much as they were able, and… beyond their ability… they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints… they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us (NIV, 1984). How can such financially desperate people give so generously in the midst their own personal life crisis? Paul tells us: They first gave themselves to the Lord. The beginning of living a genuinely generous life is giving yourself first to the Lord. Think about it.