WMCAS

Today is Pledge Sunday. It is about giving to God.

A pig and chicken were walking down the road together. As they walked they saw a billboard advertising breakfast to benefit the poor. The chicken said to the pig, “You and I donate a ham and egg breakfast” But the pig replied, “For you it would be just a contribution but for me it is a total commitment.”

The pig has to commit his life to the butcher to get ham. To the chicken it was just a contribution. To commit ourselves means we have to yield ourselves. Commitment is not something we can take back. What is given to God is given to Him. Is our giving a contribution or commitment?

In the letter to Corinth, Paul encouraged the people to finish the task they had committed. The church had pledge to contribute to a church in Jerusalem. But the money was not forthcoming. So Paul wrote to them by using the Macedonian churches as an example. The area included Philippi, Thesolonica and Beria…. Paul said 4 things regarding the grace of giving by the Macedonians. They gave joyously, generously, completely and earnestly.

They gave joyously; v2...out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. Do we give in an overflowing manner? The great joy was not because there was abundance they had. In fact there was severe trial and extremely poverty. We are not told specifically what those sufferings were. It could be religious persecution and economic downturn. But in spite of those, they gave joyfully, grateful for the opportunity to be able to give. When we give to God’s work, we give to a cause whose work is for eternity.

Paul says the Macedonian also gave generously, even beyond their ability. Indication was these people were poor. Studies show that the most generous people are those who earn the least. This reminds us of the story of the widow who gave all her coins. When we give to God’s church, we are giving to the cause of telling me about eternity, that the Saviour came to die for our sins. This work needs resources.

The Macedonian church also gave completely to the Jerusalem church. Sometimes we give to clear our conscience. Paul says that the Macedonians in keeping to God’s will. They gave because God touched them. This takes a will to give. They put themselves at the disposal to God and His representative. How did they do that?

Paul challenged the Corinthian Christians to give as earnestly as the Macedonian Christians. The latter saw it as a great opportunity to God’s work. Likewise we need to do the same as the Macedonian Christians, that giving is a commitment and not a contribution.

In conclusion, is our giving a contribution or a commitment? Are we miserly in our giving? Do we give grudgingly? Do we recognize that we give as part of the greatest cause? What will God say of our giving?