2 Corinthians 8 | Daily Bible Reading & Reflection

2 Corinthians 8 Devotional: Discover the "Grace of Giving" through the example of the Macedonian churches. Learn how the self-giving sacrifice of Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate motivation for Christian generosity and the unity of the Church.

Dear brothers and sisters, peace in Christ. Welcome to 2 Corinthians 8. Today, we explore one of the most beautiful expressions of the Christian life: the heart of generosity. Paul invites us to look past our bank accounts and into the "surplus of joy" that comes from God's grace. Let us open our hearts to see how the Gospel transforms not just our eternity, but how we handle our resources today.

2 Corinthians 8 Introduction: The Grace of Generosity and the Example of Christ

In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul encourages the Corinthian church to complete a collection for the suffering believers in Jerusalem. He points to the Macedonian churches, who, despite "extreme poverty," gave with "overflowing joy." However, Paul’s ultimate argument for giving isn't a command or a guilt trip; it is the person of Jesus Christ. He reminds them of the "Great Exchange": that Christ, though He was rich, became poor for our sakes so that we might become rich through His poverty.

What can we learn from this today? This chapter teaches us that generosity is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and a response to Salvation . As your Statement of Faith affirms, salvation is a gift of God’s grace received through faith in Jesus Christ alone. When we truly grasp that Christ gave His very life to justify and forgive us, our hands naturally open to help others. Generosity in the Church is not about equal gifts, but "equal sacrifice." It is a way for the universal Church to demonstrate God’s love in the world, ensuring that the needs of the body are met through a spirit of "fairness" and brotherly love. We give because He first gave to us.

Bible Verse - 2 Corinthians 8

8 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

Prayer

Paul writes, "But since you excel in everything... see that you also excel in this grace of giving." Let us come before the Lord, asking Him to enlarge our hearts to reflect His own generous nature.

Prayer Theme: "The Wealth of Poverty"

Dear Heavenly Father, We praise You for the "indescribable gift" of Your Son, Jesus Christ. We believe that His death and resurrection are the only grounds for our salvation and the greatest example of love the world has ever known. Thank You for the grace that has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

Lord, I ask that You would set me free from the love of money and the fear of lack. Help me to remember that everything I have belongs to You. Just as Jesus became poor to make me spiritually rich, show me how I can use my resources—my time, my talents, and my finances—to bless others and proclaim the Gospel. Give me a heart like the Macedonians, who gave themselves first to the Lord and then to others. May my life be an outward expression of faith and a remembrance of Your grace.

We pray for the universal Church, the body of Christ. We lift up our brothers and sisters around the world who are living in poverty or facing persecution. We ask that You would stir up a spirit of radical generosity among those of us who have plenty, so that no one in Your family would be in need. May our giving be a powerful witness to the world of Your love and provision. Grant wisdom to those who manage the resources of the Church, that they may act with "total integrity" as Paul commanded. Amen.

Daily Application Question

Paul notes that the Macedonians "gave themselves first to the Lord." Is there an area of your life—besides money—that you are holding back from God today? How might giving yourself fully to Him change how you view your possessions?

Frequently Asked Questions about 2 Corinthians 8

Does God require a specific "tithe" (10%) in the New Testament? While the Old Testament required a tithe, Paul focuses here on "the grace of giving"—giving that is voluntary, proportional to what one has, and motivated by a joyful heart rather than legalistic obligation.
What does it mean that Jesus "became poor"? This refers to the Incarnation. Jesus, being fully God and possessing all the riches of heaven, set aside His glory and took on human flesh, eventually suffering a criminal's death to pay for our sins.
Why was Paul so concerned with the collection for Jerusalem? It wasn't just about money; it was about the unity of the Church. By having Gentile churches (like Corinth) give to Jewish believers (in Jerusalem), Paul was demonstrating that in Christ, there is one body, regardless of ethnic or cultural backgrounds.

Thank you for joining us for 2 Corinthians 8. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, which makes the poor rich and the humble great, go with you today. We look forward to continuing this study of generosity tomorrow in 2 Corinthians Chapter 9.

Navigate the Journey

Previous: ← 2 Corinthians Chapter 7 | Next: 2 Corinthians Chapter 9 →

Page updated

Report abuse