-By: Askel Dela Cruz,
.jpg "picture taken from yahoo.com")
In the midst of material depravation, the Macedonian brethren were able to give liberally to God's work (2 Corinthians 8:1-2). Apostle Paul testified of them that
"For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves." - 2 Corinthians 8:3
They were the prime example of what true biblical giving is all about. In verse five, it was clearly shown why they have given much,
"And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God." - 2 Corinthians 8:2
The first offering they gave was their own lives.
In Romans 12:1, Apostle Paul admonished the brethren to offer themselves as a living sacrifice to God, Jesus Christ was the first to manifest this truth. In 2 Corinthians 8:9,
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."
We are not just to give part of our earnings or our time but we must offer the whole of us to God.
Then, the early Christians gave themselves to the sent ones of God. And as chronicled in Acts 4:34-35,
"Neither was there any among them the lacked; for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need."
In 2 Corinthians 9:8, Apostle Paul said that,
"God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work."
The blessings each one received from God are given so that we will be able to do His will and enjoy them. And the true joy comes when we can do the will of the Father.
"For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves." - 2 Corinthians 8:3
They were the prime example of what true biblical giving is all about. In verse five, it was clearly shown why they have given much,
"And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God." - 2 Corinthians 8:2
The first offering they gave was their own lives.
In Romans 12:1, Apostle Paul admonished the brethren to offer themselves as a living sacrifice to God, Jesus Christ was the first to manifest this truth. In 2 Corinthians 8:9,
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."
We are not just to give part of our earnings or our time but we must offer the whole of us to God.
Then, the early Christians gave themselves to the sent ones of God. And as chronicled in Acts 4:34-35,
"Neither was there any among them the lacked; for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need."
In 2 Corinthians 9:8, Apostle Paul said that,
"God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work."
The blessings each one received from God are given so that we will be able to do His will and enjoy them. And the true joy comes when we can do the will of the Father.
