Churches are not Supported by the Rich but by the…

2 Corinthians 8:2-5 (NIV) – 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.

It is easier to think that because the rich have so many resources, they will also be the most obvious material supporters of church programs. However, our text today suggests that the rich may not necessarily be the greatest supporters of the church materially. Therefore this calls for us to rethink our strategy.

When we think as leaders that the rich would be the most obvious supporters of the church programs materially, we unfortunately treat them better than others. We make them first class church members and all other non-rich people become second class. We prioritize their interests and consequently make them proud or feel entitled.

As church leaders, we are most likely to visit a very rich person than a very poor person. We are likely to spend more time and attention on the rich than the poor. We are more likely to consider the opinions of a rich person and easily dismiss the poor.

If a rich person disagrees with a pastor, the pastor may more likely be relocated, compared to when a poor person has a similar complain. When a rich man  makes mistakes or sins openly, there may be some tolerance and understanding compared to a poor person.

The rich are considered strategically useful in supporting church work. However, our text today seems to present a different scenario. One that is worth reflecting on.

Macedonian churches were extremely poor. Apostle Paul writes that their material poverty was extreme. Yet, when it came to giving support to church programs they were beyond generous. Apostle Paul writes that their generosity was rich generosity.

2 Corinthians 8:2-5 (NIV) – 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.

They were not only extremely poor, they were also going through a very severe trial. Extreme economic difficulties made worse by persecution because of their faith. Yet in their suffering they were joyful and in their extreme poverty they were richly generous.

They were so generous that they gave more than they had ability to give. They gave by themselves without help from outside. They were not helped by their politicians and other wealthy non-believers. Entirely on their own, they supported the church.

They were not urged to give. They did not have weeks and Sabbaths where they were urged to give. They are the ones who pleaded with leaders that they want to give. They asked leaders not to leave them out of the giving agenda. They wanted to give. They wanted to urgently give. 

Apostle Paul records that when eventually they gave, they exceeded expectations. They were not giving for the record. They were not giving the bear minimum. They were not giving an amount assigned to each person. They exceeded expectations. They ignored the assigned giving goal and gave much more and even beyond their ability.

What was the secret? Apostle Paul writes that they first gave themselves to the Lord before giving anything else. Extremely poor people who have given themselves to the Lord will give a better support to the church than a crowd of rich people who are disinterested and routinely attending the church. They gave themselves to the Lord first then rich generosity followed.

If poor people who first give themselves to the Lord can be so generous and be able to support church work, what about rich people who first give themselves to the Lord? Aren’t they much more useful in supporting church programs and projects?

Churches will not be supported by the rich only but by anyone, their extreme poverty not withstanding, who gives themselves to the Lord first and is consequently generous. Two characteristics of someone who will fully support church projects and rich is not one of them. Fully given themselves to the Lord first and consequently richly generous.

The church programs and projects don’t need the rich, the middle class and the poor. The church needs people who have first and fully given themselves to the Lord and consequently have become richly generous.

Unless someone has given themselves to the Lord, their giving would be conditional and far from generous. Givers who have not given themselves to the Lord, will use their giving to catch the attention of church leaders and influence them in their favor. They become the center of attention in church. Everything is about them and they are comfortable with being begged and being almost worshipped. Their giving must be announced and they are honored or else they will stop giving.

May God grant the church more people who have given themselves to the Lord first and are consequently not just generous but richly generous. May such people be you and me. In Jesus’s name, Amen!

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