Rich Generosity
Dear church,
In 2 Cor. 8-9 the Apostle Paul shares some very insightful words about what he calls “the grace of giving.” He begins with these words,
“And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most 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. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for this privilege of sharing in this service to the saints …” 2 Cor 8:1-4
I know our situation is not at all the same as “the Macedonian churches” of which Paul spoke. Though these difficult economic times have impacted each of us to some degree, some of us very heavily and have decimated a few of us we still, for the most part, are not giving out of “severe trial” and “extreme poverty.” However, I did want to take a minute to recognize and celebrate the fact that I have seen you “welling up in rich generosity” on several occasions in recent weeks/months.
At Christmas time we (GC) received a love offering for the family of Pastor Jay Preston (who pastors a smaller congregation with very limited resources in Paola) and you (we) generously gave them over $1,200 – not for their ministry, but for them personally. Then, a few months later, the ministry he leads (My Father’s House) hit a time of severe financial crisis and, though we were dealing with our own budget shortfall, our board decided God was leading us to give them a gift of no less than $1,000. So we presented that need to you and, again, you (we) responded with an offering of just over $1,000. I saw Jay a few weeks after that and he greeted me with a giant bear hug saying, “You guys have no idea how much you have helped and encouraged us.”
Also, somewhere in there was the tragic earthquake in Haiti
I recently received a letter of thanks from the office of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries saying,
“The earthquake in Haiti is already being ranked with such disasters as the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 and Hurricane Katrina. The loss of life is overwhelming and little is left to help survivors rebuild. Local Nazarenes have worked tirelessly since the quake to bring comfort where they can. Gifts like yours have helped to provide food, shelter, water, and medical care… Thank you for your gift of $1,270.”
Of course those are only a few of the stories of your “rich generosity.” But I thought it would be appropriate to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you for giving.Thank you for not just “going to church,” but for “being the church.” We are perhaps never more like Christ than when we are giving sacrificially out of a heart of genuine love.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” 12 Cor. 8:9
Consequently, what Paul said of the Macedonians will also be true of you,
“Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” 2 Cor. 9:13
Encouraged by God’s grace I see being expressed through you,
Joel
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