"PRIVILEGE, NOT A BURDEN" 

"For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints."

2 Corinthians 8:3-4

The COVID-19 pandemic affected every facet of human life, including church services. Because of the restrictions, we were kept from gathering together. Because of the economic slowdown, churches have experienced a significant decline in contributions, which affected ministries, missions, and other activities. Pastors and ministers had to take a pay cut and look for alternative sources of income, and some congregations were compelled to leave their rented buildings. Those were challenging times. And when times are hard, the last thing on most people's minds is giving.

Allow our text for today to challenge your mind. The Macedonians were on a different level of generosity. They were as impoverished as anyone, but their poverty did not hinder their desire to help the afflicted Christians in Judea. One may even argue the Macedonians themselves were candidates for a relief operation, but they refused to be receivers and volunteered to be on the giving end.

Life in Macedonia was not easy. They were under the rule of the cruel Romans, who took over their gold and silver mining industries. They were forced to do the work of digging and smelting while being imposed excessive taxes. The Romans also controlled other Macedonian industries such as salt, timber, and shipbuilding. In other words, the Macedonians were practically slaves, and the Romans were the fiendish masters. It was a classic type of cruelty we often see in movies.

Despite their impoverishment, the Christians in Macedonia presented themselves to contribute to the fundraising project to aid the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. Paul even tells us that they "begged earnestly" to give. They believed that giving was a privilege, not a burden.

The Bible also tells us that when Paul was in great need, it was the believers in Macedonia, specifically the Philippians, who provided for his needs. On the other hand, Paul rescinded his right to take any monetary assistance from the Corinthians because of their damaged relationship.

I understand that when we’re in tough times, most of us find it hard to give. But can it be that giving is only heavy when we see it as a burden? The Bible teaches us to see giving as a pleasure; our attitude toward giving mirrors our appreciation of God's unmerited favor.

I humbly ask you to think about the immeasurable value of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for you. Because of his amazing love, He emptied Himself, to the point of yielding to the power of death, so that you might have eternal life. May you regard your giving as an act of honoring Christ and His body, following the example of the Macedonians who viewed giving as a privilege, not a burden.

Pursue the Savior today!