“But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.” – 2 Corinthians 8:8
Giving financially to the work of God’s Kingdom in your community and around the world is an “act of grace”. What does that mean? It doesn’t mean that giving financially earns you favor with God. That’s the exact opposite of what grace means! Rather, Paul says that as you give sacrificially and joyfully to the accomplishment of God’s will on earth, the act and attitude of sacrifice helps you draw nearer to God. Giving aligns your heart to His will as you learn to care about what He cares about. This is because we naturally grow in our love for the things we choose to support financially. Giving teaches you to live by faith in your Provider as you release your “control” over the money God has entrusted to you. Giving expands your mind to think about things vastly bigger than yourself and your immediate financial need. Giving also sets you free from bondage to material things.
If you’re reading this in the West, there’s a very good chance that you’re blessed with far more resources than the overwhelming majority of Christians who’ve ever lived on earth! We also live in a time in which it’s easier than ever to instantly make a Kingdom impact on people’s lives from our nearest neighbors to the farthest ends of the earth. Followers of Jesus can do more to relieve spiritual and physical bondage, poverty, suffering, and deprivation in the name of Jesus than ever before. Are we willing to make the sacrifices to do that?
Heed Paul’s exhortation and pray about how you can excel in the grace of making financial sacrifices to help God’s Kingdom to come and God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Pray about ways God may be calling you to get more deeply involved in global efforts to introduce people to Jesus, relieve poverty, provide access to safe food and water, bless your community, bless the nations, and accomplish the work of your local church. Pray, then excel in this act of grace, preparing yourself to experience even greater joy in Christ! #FollowJesus