I try to be a generous giver. I help with needs in my community, I support my church, and I give towards missions efforts around the world. So I feel pretty good about giving at the level of my ability.

But Paul writes a pesky line in a letter to the church members in Corinth. While encouraging them to give generously, he praised the efforts of a set of sister churches in Macedonia: In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.

How did these impoverished believers give beyond their ability? These were not wealthy people with money to move from one account to another. They didn’t cash in bonds or sell real estate. They possessed very little. It seems to me that the Lord provided them excess funds in some unexpected way, which they sent to a severe need facing the believers in far distant Jerusalem.

The Lord blessed them with extra which they gave away, resulting in more blessings from the Lord. Perhaps not financial, but certainly eternal. A virtuous cycle ensued.

Try a faith experiment based on this type of giving. Perhaps you have a cause or person on your heart you would like to support, but you don’t have the funds to help. Why not pray and ask the Lord to send you extra to give away? Ask God to help give beyond your ability? We can attempt this experiment without telling anyone, but simply ask the Lord and see how He provides.

Sounds crazy, but God works through crazy, and perhaps we can also experience the thill of giving beyond our ability.

2 Corinthians 8 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Josh Appel