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2 Corinthians 8:1-7, And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.  In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.  For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

There is significant need among the believers in Jerusalem and Paul is imploring the churches in Macedonia and Greece to give, not out of obligation but truly out of love for their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  Those in Jerusalem were Jewish believers who the Gentile Corinthians had never met.  This offering would not have been part of a tithe, but rather over and beyond their normal giving, in order to help those who needed it. 

While the Macedonian churches were located in a fairly wealthy and prosperous area, that doesn't mean all the churches were affluent.  There were some among them who were wealthy but many more were just working class or poor.  And yet, Paul is calling them to give anyway.  He has called all the Macedonian churches to give; this includes Corinth but also Philippi and Thessalonica.  He is asking the Corinthians church to finish up their previous collection, keeping in mind the extreme need in Jerusalem.  This is not a command, by any means, but rather encouragement to do what is right.

Giving does not come naturally to human beings.  We seem to have this need to keep things for ourselves.  We tend toward selfishness over sacrifice.  Generosity is something that God nurtures in our hearts.  Jesus taught often about being generous.  Think about Matthew 6:19-21, Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The beauty in this Scripture is that it demonstrates that when we invest in the things of God, our heart will be pulled in that direction as well.  We start by giving sacrificially and God changes our heart.

What's been your experience with giving?  Do you tithe?  If you don't, then what keeps you from giving on that level?  Have you ever given above and beyond the tithe, as Paul was encouraging the Corinthians to do?  What motivated that giving?  How has God blessed your giving? 

Let's pray...God, All we have is yours. Help us learn to be generous with what you have generously provided.  Guide us to give of ourselves and our resources sacrificially.  Lead us, guide us, direct us.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.