Expecting to receive or begging to give?
The Apostle Paul lays the challenge before the Corinthians. They have lots of gifts and “excel in everything” as a Church. But he wants them to “excel in giving” as well (2 Cor 8:7). Can their “earnestness” match that of the Macedonians (2 Cor 8:8)?
That won't be easy. The Macedonians gave “according to their means”, even “beyond their means”. And then they “begged” to be able to have the opportunity to give more (2 Cor 8:3-4).
How about you? Do you need to be urged to support the work of the Gospel, or to support your brothers and sisters in difficulty? Or are you looking, longing, or even begging for the chance to give more?
After all, “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7). And we can give cheerfully out of the grace given by God; the grace which ensures that we have “all sufficiency in all things at all times” (2 Cor 9:8).
“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Cor 9:15)