It will at times feel hard and costly to give.  But we can give knowing that joyful giving pleases our heavenly Father; trusting that he will use our time, money and hospitality to bring help to people he has caused us to love; and knowing that God can use all this to show the world His glory though the beauty of His church.  Giving enlarges our faith.

Dane Ortland wrote, ‘better to offer too much praise with the possibility of stirring up pride than give too little with the risk of creating discouragement.’

On Monday morning when I started to work on this passage I was blown away by how positive the apostle Paul is.  Paul was no fool—he could see people’s failings as well as anyone else, but he is choosing to dwell on what God is doing in His imperfect people.  The Corinthian church had caused Paul all sorts of trouble, but he is not bitter, and it does not stop him being thankful for them.  He says that he has confidence in them.  He has even been boasting about them to the Macedonian Christians.  He also praises Titus, who will be visiting them, and two unnamed brothers who will be helping Titus in the work.

Paul’s praise surely reflects the heart of God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.  Yes, God knows all our flaws and weaknesses, yet in His grace He delights in the imperfect ways that we seek to serve Him.  He is not like that parent, spouse or teacher who is impossible to please.  He is kind and gracious.  He is forgiving and even delights in us.

The apostle Paul is teaching about giving.  I am going to suggest that godly giving begins with the head—as we preach the gospel to ourselves, moves to the heart—as the gospel stirs our affections, and shows itself through our hands—as our faith demonstrates itself in actions.

We are thinking about how we can give in a way that honors God and gives us joy.

Ask the Lord to Stir Up Holy Affections in You (8:16–21)

‘Thanks be to God who put into Titus the same concern I have for you’ (8:16).  In Rooted, last Sunday night, we were thinking about how God changes people.  One of the verses we touched on (one of my favorite verses) reads, ‘God works in you to will and act according to his good purpose’ (Philippians 2:13).  As we preach the gospel to ourselves, the Holy Spirit stirs up holy affections that lead to holy actions.  ‘For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative’ (8:17).

Just a reminder of the background.  Paul had organized a collection for the poor Christians in Jerusalem, who had suffered in a famine.  However, the Corinthians had fallen out with Paul and had stopped their giving.  Now they have repented and Paul has forgiven them.  He is now urging them to show their repentance is real by resuming their giving.

Along with Titus we are sending ‘the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel’ (8:19).  Isn’t it interesting, on one hand we see the willingness of the church to praise those who serve the gospel well, and yet on the other hand the Holy Spirit has chosen that his man’s name is not included in this scripture.  It does not really matter who he is!

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