Generous giving: this is the best description you’ll find anywhere.
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. (2 Corinthians 8.1 – 5, ESV)
- Affliction, joy, poverty -> “a wealth of generosity” – Really? That’s amazing.
- Gave beyond their means, of their own accord
- They gave themselves to the Lord, then to Paul, and then they gave their money.
Go thou and do likewise:
But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. (2 Corinthians 8.7, ESV)
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