Bring up the subject of money and the opportunities to give and be part of a ministry and judgment begins. Sadly, the way that some people and ministries have abused the principles of giving has caused a knee-jerk reaction to anything about money and people want to stay as far away from it as possible. But that extreme is not right because God has designed the church and ministries to be supported. Take a look at the example below of the church at Philippi.

Philippians 4:15 (ESV) — 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.

This is not the only commendation Paul gave of their giving. Look at this:

2 Corinthians 8:1–5 (ESV) — 1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

Let’s remember that Paul made sure as he went on his missionary trips that he was self-supported as a tent maker. Therefore, it was his standard to avoid asking for money from the churches he was establishing. As you see above, the church at Phillippi, although they could least afford it and had every reason from a natural standpoint not to give, gave generously.

Let’s go back to Paul’s standard as you see him state his dilemma from his standard as it would promote a failure to support those like Timothy who would follow Paul as well as rob the church of the joy of giving.

1 Thessalonians 2:9 (ESV) — 9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

1 Timothy 5:17–18 (ESV) — 17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

Galatians 6:6–8 (ESV) — 6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

1 Corinthians 9:14–15 (ESV) — 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. 15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.

2 Corinthians 12:13 (ESV) — 13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

Looking again at the commendation of the church at Macedonia we see how an attitude of grace in giving comes from God and demonstrates an attitude that reflects how God looks upon giving to and caring for His people.

2 Corinthians 8:1–5 (ESV) — 1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

1. Notice the foundation of giving is based upon grace received. Everything we have we have received by His grace and every aspect of salvation and a hope for a glorious future is all by God’s amazing grace.

1 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV) — 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

Ephesians 2:1–5 (ESV) — 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

2. Notice the situation of the Macedonian church was one of severe testing of affliction and extreme poverty, but they gave generously and with an abundance of joy.

1 Peter 1:3–8 (ESV) — 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

3. They gave of their means, which indicates they were tithing a percentage but wait, there’s more. They gave above their means and even begged Paul for the opportunity to give. This type of a giving spirit is not a product of manipulation or stimulated by a seeking for recognition. This is a product of grace.

1 Corinthians 15:10 (ESV) — 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

4. They key to giving like the Macedonians is found in these words in verse 5: “and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.” Before giving to the church or supporting ministry, the Macedonians presented themselves to the Lord.

Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) — 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The result was giving from having first received the grace of God and then giving in response to God’s grace and goodness which led to presenting themselves in humble submission to the Lord Jesus Christ. True giving that flows from a heart full of the abundance of love and grace from God.

Godspeed,

Bob Brubaker, Pastor

Christ Community Presbyterian Church

Clearwater, FL