Be ready to give
2 Corinthians 9:1-5
1 I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. 2 For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.
3 But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. 4 We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! 5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.
Paul has spoken of the generosity of the Corinthian church to others, and of their intent to give for the purposes of building up other churches. Here Paul urges them to be ready with this gift.
Are we READY to give? Do we handle our finances in such a way that we are READY to give if God calls us to? READY to help fulfil the needs of those around us, in particular in this case the needs of those who have made building the church (both local and international) their life work?
I remember when my husband Andrew was working with campus ministries and I was a student, we were entirely reliant on the faithful support of others. Whenever money came through at just the right time it was an encouragement to our faith, a confirmation that God had us where He wanted us and would provide for us. This is the kind of encouragement we can be part of as we support our brothers and sisters in mission!
Lord, thank you for those who, like Paul, are daily building your church, relying on your people for support in faith. Use us to encourage them, Lord! Help us be ready to share what you have given us with joy, never grudgingly.
Written by Rhiannon Mellor