“Give As You Have Decided According To Your Means!”

“Give As You Have Decided According To Your Means!”(II Cor.9:1-12).
Christian expansion is not always measured by steady advancement and consolidation of established centres. While Christianity expands in the peripheries, the centres experience steady decline or stagnation in both numerical and financial growth.
Jerusalem, where it all started, suffered financial stagnation, and Paul had to encourage the peripheral Gentile churches to come to the aid of the brethren in Jerusalem and Judea.
The Christians in Jerusalem and Judea were experiencing severe poverty as a result of famine. When the church in Antioch heard this, “the disciples, each according to his ability decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea”(Acts 11:27-30).
Paul’s advice to the other churches was a repeat of what he had told the Galatian churches to do. “On the first day of the week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, …”(I Cor.16:1-3).
Give as much as you are able, and even beyond your ability. It is a thing of joy to want to have the privilege of sharing in the service of giving to the saints(II Cor.8:3-4).
“If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.” When you are blessed with plenty at the moment, supply the needs of those in need so that in turn, their plenty may supply what you need. In this way, there will be equality. Nobody will be hard pressed while others are being relieved(II Cor.8:12-15).
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver…He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of food and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”
The phrase, “God loves a cheerful giver” used in isolation is misleading if it is not preceded by “Each man should give what he has decided to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
A cheerful giver is not about quantity. It is about the decision of the heart and according to income. It is about giving within your means.
For one reason or the other, poor people will always be there, and they need our financial and material support. While we give to support them as the spirit leads, and according to our means, it is expected that the channels of collection and transmission should have proper measures for checks abd balances, ensuring that what is collected gets to its rightful destination. Generous giving does not only supply the needs of those in need, it overflows in many expressions of thanks to God.
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit, prompt us weekly through our churches to support those who are in need in other towns or countries. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
07/02/2026.