Condition of Your Heart - 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

Continuing our series on the condition of the heart when giving.

2 Corinthians 8:1-7

8 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor [a]of participation in the [b]support of the [c]saints, 5 and this, not as we had [d]expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.

7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the [e]love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.

The most important verse to me is this: 5 and this, not as we had [d]expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

God is concerned with the state of our heart much more than He is with our actions. The state of our heart determines our actions. God wants us right with Him so we are able to hear what He is telling us. Only then, can we do God’s Will. It might result in our giving being what we think is beyond our means if that is where God is leading us. I don’t know what that amount is for you, that’s between you and God. I only know it’s important that when we discern God’s Will for us, we obey.

Heavenly Father, we come before you today with grateful hearts, remembering the example of the Macedonian church as described in 2 Corinthians 8:1-7. Just as they gave generously and with joyful hearts, we ask that you fill us with the same spirit of giving, allowing us to offer our gifts freely and cheerfully, recognizing that everything we have comes from your grace. May our offerings today reflect our love for you and our desire to share your blessings with others in need. Guide our giving, Lord, so that it may be used to further your kingdom and bring glory to your name. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.