Treasure

August 1, 2021

Randy Hageman

Many folks feel they don’t have many gifts or talents or resources, so that they think what they have just doesn’t

.

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The Apostle Paul is asking the Corinthian church, along with other churches, to help with an offering to assist the Christians in

, where both a famine and persecution have made it difficult.

Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. —2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NLT)

In giving “themselves to the Lord,” the Corinthians remembered all God had done for them by offering them salvation and eternity through

.

When life becomes hard, too often we seem to focus on ourselves and our problems, instead of focusing on

and what he says about me and those problems.

Even though the “churches in Macedonia” were “being tested” and were “very poor,” they “begged” Paul for the privilege to

others.

The focus on others, the desire to help others, and gratitude for all Christ had done for the Macedonian churches, rather than saying poor

us, led them to be filled, Paul says, “with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.”

Paul isn’t focused on amount but

, just as Jesus had been.

While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. ‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus said, ‘this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.’ —Luke 21:1-4 (NLT)

It’s the heart and attitude

the gift that Jesus is affirming.

But the king replied to Araunah, ‘No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the LORD my God that have cost me nothing.’ So David paid him fifty pieces of silver for the threshing floor and the oxen. —2 Samuel 24:24 (NLT)

Just as Jesus could multiply five loaves and two fish offered by a boy to feed thousands, so God can take seemingly small gifts, faithfully given, and

them to accomplish His purposes.

Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. —2 Corinthians 8:7-9 (NLT)

Jesus: ‘Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.’ —Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT)

Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. As the Scriptures say, ‘Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.’ —2 Corinthians 8:11-15 (NLT)

Paul says he doesn’t mean for the Corinthians to give to the point where it

their legitimate ability to manage their actual financial responsibilities, their genuine needs, versus all that they might want.

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The Jewish understanding was that the tithe, meaning ten percent, was the norm for giving, but Jesus knew that for some, a tithe really didn’t affect them or feel like they were

anything for their God.

Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce —Proverbs 3:9 (ESV)

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. —2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NLT)

We shouldn’t give out of peer pressure, out of trying to look

to others.

It’s Paul’s conviction that if we genuinely trust God and put Him first in our lives, living by His principles, we’ll always have

to give.

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! —2 Corinthians 9:10-15 (NLT)

When we give through God’s church to help others come to faith in Christ, we are investing our resources into

for all time.

Paul says that blessing of others through gifts leads them to

God and give Him all the glory, encouraging worship and faith!

Our giving is as important to our

health and growth as what our gifts do in and through the church for others.

If you’re not giving or not giving regularly, and you genuinely want to express your gratitude to God obediently through your gifts, simply start with giving

.

If you’ve been giving something, maybe it’s time to ask God if your level of giving is

for all He’s given to you.

As Paul said, “You must decide in your heart how much to give.…”, but always remember God’s looking at our attitude for giving and loves a

giver.

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