The Heart of a Giver

When we pause to consider God’s goodness—His provision, His redemption, His love—one word rises above the rest: grace. It’s grace that defies our comprehension, unbound by conditions or merit. While we might limit it, God doesn’t. His unconditional love offers Himself freely to all who will receive Him. This unmerited favor isn’t just a gift to cherish; it’s a call to action. Grace empowers us to become who God created us to be and to fulfill His purpose. When we extend that grace to others—through love, compassion, and generosity—it multiplies, like seeds sown in fertile soil, yielding a harvest of His mercy in a hurting world.

Stewardship, as Merriam-Webster defines it, is “the careful and responsible planning and management of something entrusted to one’s care.” Biblically, it’s far more than handling money—it’s overseeing all God has given us: our time, talents, treasures, and every facet of life—spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational. In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus teaches that God distributes these resources according to our ability, entrusting us to use them for His glory. He also calls us to pray for the harvest (Matthew 9:37-38), urging us to actively invest what we’ve been given—time in souls, talents in service, treasure in salvation. This is the heart of stewardship: a mission of grace to change lives through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul points us to the ultimate example—Jesus Himself. In 2 Corinthians 8:9, we see Christ’s riches: the Son of God, abundant in glory, dominion, and every good thing. Yet, He became poor for us (Philippians 2:6-8), emptying Himself, taking on human form, and dying on a cross. This great exchange—His riches for our redemption—shows us how to give. Our stewardship isn’t about personal gain; it’s about serving others. Let’s explore three truths from 2 Corinthians 8 that shape this mission-driven giving.

Someone once said, “A life focused inward on ourselves and downward on material things collapses under its own weight, like a black hole. But a life lived upward to God’s glory and outward for others’ good thrives.” As stewards, we’re called to the latter—a life of worship and service. Our mission isn’t self-preservation; it’s the gospel’s spread, transforming lives through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). You don’t need a title or rare gifts for this—just a relationship with Jesus and a willing heart.

Paul calls this giving a “grace” (2 Corinthians 8:1-7), evident in the Macedonians who, despite poverty and trials, gave generously. They didn’t wait for ease; grace empowered them to see beyond their struggles to others’ needs. They committed to:

• Dedicating themselves to the Lord first.
• Offering their possessions to the cause.
• Partnering in the mission.

This wasn’t just an offering—it was a rededication of their lives. Paul uses their example to spur the Corinthians, who’d pledged to give a year earlier but faltered (2 Corinthians 8:10-11). Life’s troubles—economic woes, perhaps—had stalled them. Yet Paul insists: our giving isn’t tied to circumstances, but to Christ’s mission. It’s about advancing God’s kingdom, not our comfort.

Billy Graham once remarked, “If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area of his life.” Most of us want to give, but like the Corinthians, that desire can wane when challenges hit—economic dips, family stress, or unexpected crises. Paul acknowledges their initial eagerness but presses them to act (2 Corinthians 8:11-12). Desire is good, but decisions sustain the mission.

Jesus taught that the harvest is plentiful, but laborers are few (Matthew 9:37-38). Paul adds that preaching requires senders (Romans 10:14-15). Good intentions alone won’t spread the gospel—decisions will. The Corinthians faced tough times (2 Corinthians 8:2), yet Paul urges them to “finish the work.” Life shifts quickly, but the mission of grace endures. We can’t let feelings dictate our giving; it’s a deliberate choice to prioritize God’s work over our fluctuations. When we decide to give—regardless of how we feel—we fuel eternal change.

Randy Alcorn, in The Treasure Principle, notes that 15% of Jesus’ teachings address money and possessions—more than heaven and hell combined. Why? Our spiritual lives and how we handle resources are inseparable. The Corinthians wavered, but Paul doesn’t condemn them—he challenges them to rise in faith (2 Corinthians 8:11). In 2 Corinthians 9:10, he assures that God provides seed for the sower, multiplying our giving’s impact.

Faith trusts God’s promises: sow generously, reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Proverbs 11:24). It’s not blind optimism, but commitment to follow through, even in lean seasons. Timothy reminds the rich to trust God, not wealth, and to be generous (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Giving in tough times tests our faith—do we believe God will supply? The Macedonians did, giving beyond their means. Jesus did, giving His life. Our commitment mirrors theirs, anchoring our stewardship in trust.

Stewardship isn’t about ownership—it’s about purpose. Everything we have is God’s, entrusted to us for His mission of grace. We preach the gospel, meet needs, and bring transformation not because we must, but because grace compels us. Paul sums it up:

• Giving is based on mission.
• Giving is based on decision.
• Giving is based on faith and commitment.

Jesus, rich beyond measure, became poor for us. The Macedonians, poor in means, gave richly in faith. We’re called to follow—giving freely, joyfully, sacrificially. What’s God asking you to give? Your time to pray for souls? Your talents to serve? Your treasure to sow? This week, ask Him to make you an excellent steward, an instrument of eternal change. We’re on a mission of grace—let’s live it boldly.

For more on this topic, listen to our sermon The Stewardship of Life, Part 3: