In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul gave the Corinthian church two examples of how we as Christians are to give, and these examples are just as relevant for us today as it was for them two millennia ago. The two examples are the giving of the Macedonian Christians, and the giving of Jesus.

The Giving of the Macedonians

“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…For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.” (2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 12)

Here are a few observations about the giving of the Macedonian churches from Tim Lane and Paul David Tripp:

1. Their giving encouraged unity (background in Romans 15) – The Greeks and Jews were divided. Many years of division had birthed a hatred of both cultures for the other. But the Holy Spirit’s work among the Macedonian Christians was doing a work beyond what they would have done if left in their sins – their giving monetarily for the Jerusalem Christians’ cause birthed unity. According to Romans 15:25-27, the Macedonians had become “sharers in the spiritual blessing” with the Jerusalem Christians. They were now one in Christ.

2. Their giving was a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 8:1) – In 2 Corinthians 8:1, we see that this giving of the Macedonians was not from their own strength, but it was the “grace of God given” that spurred their giving. When we give freely to others, we must give credit where credit is due – it is the work of God in us. As Paul says in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

3. Their giving was surprising (2 Cor. 8:2) – it was surprising because they were poor! You don’t expect a homeless man to hand YOU money on the street! But these poor Macedonians gave out of their “extreme poverty” which overflowed in a “wealth of generosity.”

4. Their giving was sacrificial (2 Cor. 8:3) – They not only gave what they thought they could live with giving, but beyond what they could afford, trusting that God would supply their needs, as He was supplying the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem through them.

5. Their giving was spontaneous (2 Cor. 8:4-5a) – They didn’t wait for Paul to ask them for a contribution for the saints – they begged him that they might give. Paul didn’t expect this, but was pleased.

6. Their giving was an act of submission (2 Cor. 8:5b) – Giving to others never comes without first giving ourselves to the Lord, recognizing and trusting that it is He who provides for our needs at all times – when we’re rich and when we’re poor.

7. Their giving was a spiritual barometer (2 Cor. 8:12) – “If the readiness is there…” How would they be ready to give before being asked and prodded? It is because the Holy Spirit had been shaping their hearts to be those who trust and give, not those who doubt and hoard.

The Giving of Jesus

But Paul then gives us a second example of how we are to give, and it is the root of all other giving, including that of the Macedonian Christians. Christ Jesus, Himself, is the best example of giving that we could have.

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9)

How was Jesus rich? Let us count the ways! He created all things, therefore all things belong to Him. He had all power and glory as the eternal Son, the second person of the Trinity. He was perfect, having no sin debt. In all ways Christ was rich!

But He gave away His riches that He might become poor like us – being born as what He created, being pricked with splinters living the life of a carpenter, giving up the glories of the presence of His Father, being in the presence of sinful people, even to the point of giving up His life – He became poor.

And He did this “for your sake,” that you “by His poverty might become rich.” What an amazing person Jesus was! What an amazing God! And it is this kind of giving that the Holy Spirit enabled the Macedonians to give, and it enables us to do the same.