Excel

DEVOTION

2 CORINTHIANS

EXCEL

2 Cor 8:1-7

8:1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most 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 saints.   5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. 6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us-see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

NIV

This is just the beginning of a complete teaching about giving. This is not about tithing, but about giving. This is not about supporting a paid staff of people, paying the bills of the physical building we call church, but about giving to others who are in need. Sure, we think that in our tithing we are giving to the needs of others because our church budget includes a percentage of funds designated for different missions, which is supported to be administered by those we choose to do so.  But we have to be honest and admit the highest percentage is spent within our own church, and that does not constitute the giving that is spoken of here. In fact there is nothing under the new covenant which speaks of tithing, but plenty which talks about giving. If we think we excel in our faith. If we think we excel in our speech and knowledge of the scriptures and of Jesus. If we think we are completely earnest in our love for each other. Should we not also excel in our giving to the needs of others? Within the context of this passage, Paul might be talking about the giving of money although it is not actually expressed so. Later we will see the term equality, a shared life, no extreme wealth while others are in extreme poverty, thus we believe it is implied that money is the form of giving. Yet we surely can give in many other ways, as with our time and energy. Yet this surely is all about the giving of material goods, either in items or in a monetary contribution. This type of giving might well be the kind that should be done in secret, applying the “Not letting your right hand know what your left hand is doing” principle. That applies to both the one receiving the gift as well as all those other believers in church. If we talk about our giving to anyone we surely might have already received our reward. Yes we should give and not be tight fisted about it, but surely we should not stand on the rooftops and boast of our giving. When we hear preachers, list off all the things the church supports that might fit into the boasting category, especially if there are non-believers, or non-members presence. Yet the main point here is to excel in our giving.