As Christians, we are to “consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). After discussing various things relating to the collection – the act itself, the nature of giving, our attitude – we should think about some things that will motivate us to improve our giving. Paul wrote to the Corinthians in order to motivate them to carry out their “previously promised bountiful gift” (2 Corinthians 9:5). In doing this, he appealed to three things to encourage them. These points are good for us to consider as well as we seek to improve our giving.
The chief example Paul could propose to motivate the Corinthians to give was the example of Christ. Jesus exhibited His grace by coming to earth. Paul reminded them of this when he said, “Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). When Jesus left the riches of heaven to come to earth, He did not even enjoy the riches of this world. Instead, He took on “the form of a bond-servant” (Philippians 2:7). On one occasion, He said He had “nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20). If Jesus was willing to give up all that He did, we should be willing to give what we can.
But the example of Christ goes further. Not only did He come, “Taking the form of a bond-servant,” but He also “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). He sacrificed more than just physical possessions; He gave His life. Because of the death and resurrection of Christ, we have hope (1 Peter 1:3). Without this sacrifice, we would have no hope (Acts 23:6; Romans 8:24). Nothing we do can equal the sacrifice made by Christ. This should motivate us to do all we can in our service to Him. Think about the sacrifice of Christ and how it should motivate you to give.
In addition to the example of Christ, we can also look to the examples of others. Paul told the Corinthians of the Macedonians and their “abundance of joy” in the face of “a great ordeal of affliction.” This joy led them to overflow “in the wealth of their liberality,” despite their “deep poverty” (2 Corinthians 8:2). They were willing to give even “beyond their ability” (2 Corinthians 8:3). They were so eager to give that Paul said they were “begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints” (2 Corinthians 8:4). Their example was meant to motivate the Corinthians to “also complete…this gracious work as well” (2 Corinthians 8:6). Paul told them he had boasted to the Macedonians about the willingness of the brethren in Corinth. He even said, “Your zeal has stirred up most of them” (2 Corinthians 9:2). But now he wanted them to be ready so that none of the Macedonians who came with him would find them unprepared and, therefore, put to shame (2 Corinthians 9:4). This was a proper way for Paul to motivate the Corinthians – show them the generosity of others to encourage them to do the same.
As we have discussed in relation to tithing, no amount or percentage is specified in the New Testament that we are required to give. Not everyone will give the same amount or the same percentage. Some have a greater ability than others do. Even if two different people have the same income, one may not be able to give as much as the other. We each have different responsibilities, debts, obligations, etc. We must first be ready and willing to give. Our responsibility then is related to our ability. “For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:12). God only requires us to give according to our ability. But remember again the Macedonians: they were in “deep poverty,” yet “overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.” We see that they went above and beyond even Paul’s expectations, considering their circumstances, because they had to beg him to take what they wanted to give (2 Corinthians 8:4).
Sometimes Christians feel they can give nothing on the first day of the week. While this circumstance does exist occasionally, it is likely that the majority of times when Christians think they can give nothing, they could at least give something. Oftentimes Christians are comfortable with what they have always been giving, even though they could give more. The Macedonians gave “beyond their ability” (2 Corinthians 8:3). Do we even give according to our ability? Think about the giving done by these brethren and how it should motivate you to give.
Besides the examples of Jesus Christ and the Macedonian brethren, Paul appealed to one other thing to motivate the Corinthians to give – love. He told them, “Therefore, openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you” (2 Corinthians 8:24). Love should motivate us to give. In his first epistle to Corinth, Paul told the brethren, “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14). This should be behind everything we do as Christians.
So how does love relate to our giving? First of all, we are instructed to give in the word of God. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Our love for God and Christ should lead us to obey the instruction to give. But more specifically, giving is related to our love for others. After all, the collection the Corinthians were to be contributing into was to help needy brethren. This is an act of love – to care enough about those in need to sacrifice something in order to help them.
In fact, if we look at all the things for which the church has authority to use its money, love applies to all of them. We have noticed earlier in this study that the church is to be engaged in the works of evangelism, edification, and benevolence. Since these are works of the church, the money from the church treasury may be used to carry out these works. If we have the love we need to have, it will motivate us to do these works. We will preach and teach the gospel to the lost because we love them and want them to be saved. We will work to edify and build up our brethren because we love them and want them to continue serving the Lord and not fall away. We will help provide for needy saints because we love them and do not want to see them in need. The funds collected on the first day of the week are used to perform these works. We need to give so that we can help see that these works are done. Think about the love you are to have as a Christian and how it should motivate you to give.
These are three things Paul mentioned to motivate the Corinthians to give – the example of Christ, the example of the Macedonians, and the love they were to have as Christians. These can help motivate us as well as we strive to improve our giving. I would venture to say that many of us could give more than we do. Yet we have become content with giving what we always have. Let us improve in this area. There is much work to be done.
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