Paul’s challenge is clear: It’s time to turn generous feelings into generous actions. It’s not enough to feel like giving. We must be generous people.
3. Generosity Activates the Principle of “To and Through”
Finally, Paul turns his attention to the results and responsibilities of generosity. This is a message that often gets twisted and manipulated in our culture today. But Paul’s words stand firm without adding to or taking away. Here’s what he says:
“Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over,?and those who gathered only a little had enough” (2 Corinthians 8:12-15, NLT).
Paul wasn’t saying that all differences in economic standing should be eliminated. He simply makes a very valid point that the tables of economic provision can quickly turn. At one point you might be in a desperate state of need (like the Macedonians), and at another point, you could be in an abundant state of plenty. In either case, Paul challenges us to take up the responsibility to be generous people. Then Paul drives home the connection between generosity and God’s provision:
“Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
These verses describe the principle of “To and Through.” It’s simply this:
a. Generosity releases God’s provision TO you because God blesses generous people (v. 8a—And God will generously provide all you need).
b. Generosity releases God’s provision THROUGH you when you choose to share your blessings with others (v. 8b—Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others).
It’s like a water hose. Water is meant to travel through a hose. Water stops flowing through the hose when there’s a kink in the hose. The same is true in our lives. God doesn’t just want to send blessings TO us, he wants to send blessings THROUGH us to others. But when there’s a kink of greed or selfishness or fear in our hearts, the blessings can’t flow through us the way God intended them to. So what do we learn from Paul’s teaching on generosity? We can summarize his insights as follows:
Generosity Is a Priority and a Practice That Releases God’s Provision
When we choose to be generous—to make generosity a priority and a practice in our lives—God faithfully demonstrates his continued generosity to us. And with his generous blessings comes a continued responsibility to be generous over and over.
