The gift of giving

https://odb.org/2025/06/05/the-gift-of-giving-2

2 Corinthians 8:1–7 (NIV): 8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love, the gift of we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

It is interesting to read in today’s ODB article of someone who gave two graduation gifts to 1,200 university graduates. One envelope containing 500 dollars for the graduates themselves and another envelope with another $500 for them to give away. In other words, it’s a double gift to bless them doubly. One to meet their needs and the other to instil in them the generosity of giving and reap the benefits that come with it. Amazingly, this giving was not in any Christian context. There is thus universality in generosity and in giving, in blessing others and receiving more blessings. There is a saying that goes – it is better to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

Generosity is really a condition of the heart and an attitude. It doesn’t depend on how much you have. One may perceive that with more, it is easier to give. But it’s a fallacy as I have witnessed wealthy people struggle to share a little of what they have generously. You’ll be surprised to know that RM10,000 may mean as much to you and to me as it is to the wealthy. Maybe they can splurge in buying a crate of fine wine, but it’s different if they were to give it away. If you give away RM10,000, you will have RM10,000 less, whether you have RM100,000 or RM100,000,000. The math does not change.

That is also why the giving by the Macedonian churches (Tessalonica and Berea) was exemplary as they gave out of their lack. They were generous despite their poverty. So if you barely make ends meet and still have the heart to give, then it is likely that you need to sacrifice something. Maybe eat a simpler meal like roti canai and skip that banana leaf lunch. Chances are we will be slimmer if we are generous!

Maybe we should do the same thing when we give. Split our gift into two. One for them to bless them and the other, for them to bless others. If ever anyone were to bless us, we should likewise bless others too. If ever anyone is generous with us, we should likewise be generous with others.

Have a good weekend ahead! Be generous and kind to those around us. The same way the LORD our God has been gracious, compassionate, and generous with us, we must likewise treat others with grace, compassion, and generosity.