Therefore I esteemed it necessary to exhort the brothers that they should go before unto you and should complete beforehand your foreannounced blessing [gift], thus this to be ready as a blessing [gift], and not as covetousness.” vs5

We are not to give covetously, as if we’re trying to get favor with God or man. We give because we’ve been blessed abundantly. The grace of God in Christ and the good of others is our motive as we perform this duty [2 Cor 8:19].

Do not give to be seen but to be helpful - not to exalt yourself, but because you’ve been exalted, and you want to help others. Give as a matter of thankfulness and praise.

First, you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [2 Cor 8:9]. You know that you were a poor sinner, dead in tresspasses, and He came down and saved you! You know that He veiled His eternal glory, humbled Himself, and became Man, so that God and Man dwell together, forever, in one Person. You know He took your sin upon Himself, chose you, and He revealed Himself to you graciously [Matt 16:17]: You know that you’ve done nothing, and He’s done everything. Now, give as the result!

You can’t earn favor. You can’t get higher than He’s made you by free grace, so give as one that’s obtained mercy. You won’t get any extra points added to your credit, and no man is to praise you unduly. You are giving to achieve a gracious result, which is to help others.

Secondly, don’t neglect this duty [2 Cor 9:1-5]. Paul says, “Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous gift you promised.” You desired to do it, now do it. It came into your heart, now get it done. You heard about the sufferings of others… you heard about needy saints and missionaries… you heard your pastor has extra expenses, not because he’s squandering, but his children need to be clothed and fed. You heard about the poor widow who’s served the church, and you want to be helpful to her, so do it! You have the time, now, even though you’ve planned it and not done it, you have NOW to get the job done.

Brothers, thirdly, it would be a shame if we desired and didn’t bring it to pass! He says, “For if the Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to mention you, would be ashamed in that situation [vs4].” If we’ve received so much - if God’s didn’t merely desire to save us but actually did it… if the missionary didn’t only want to help in a far away land, but he did it, selling all that he had to serve Christ - if we don’t give tangibly now in response, then it is a shameful thing!

Many people think, “I’m saved by grace. I’m not under law. I don’t have to give.” How did you put together that formula? “I’m saved by grace, so I can give,” is the proper order. “I’m saved and don’t have to pay a tithe,” true, but giving is not tithing, and being free from the law BINDS US to Jesus Christ [Rom 7:4].

Many are masterless, but sin is still their master. Those bound by obligation to Christ consider it an honor to give, and it is shameful for us to hold back, so we reach into our pockets and do what we can in thankfulness for how He’s blessed us. Many see the offering bucket pass by and shame hits the heart because they don’t do what they can. How can this shame be removed, except to obey Jesus Christ and give for His glory [2 Cor 9:3]? We don’t want ashamed preachers, because their people do not give, proving the love is small, and we don’t want shamed people who bear the guilt of doing nothing. Repent of what you haven’t been doing and do it now. The time is now.