Yes You Can!
BRD REFLECTIONS
2 Corinthians 8 and Psalm 86 (NIV)
(Alvin Tay, Chairperson, Local Church Executive Committee)
READ:
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
1And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
Thanks to the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches (v1), the Macedonian Christians:
1. Give even though they are poor and in the midst of a very severe trial (v2).
2. Give as much as they are able, even beyond their ability (v3).
3. Give on their own initiative, in fact they urgently pleaded for the privilege of sharing (v4).
4. Give first to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to others.
This reminds me of John Wesley’s exhortation on the Use of Money, or what I would call the E.S.G. of Sustainable Giving: Earn (or gain) all you can, Save all you can, and Give all you can.
APPLY:
When I was still working and investing my money in some higher risk products, I would tell myself to invest only what I could afford to lose. Similarly when I donated to meaningful causes, it was always out of my surpluses, nothing to shout about compared to the poor widow in Mark 12:41-44 who put in all she had to live on. Or the Macedonian Christians who gave even beyond their ability.
I can certainly relate to ‘Earn all you can’. That was what I had been trying to do for most of my working life. I can still relate somewhat to ‘Save all you can’. But ‘Give all you can’? Like what the poor widow and the Macedonian Christians did? Yes, I did give, but certainly not all that I could. I certainly could do better.
Now that I am retired and no longer ‘earning all I can’, I will try to save all I can by living simply and healthily. I will learn to trust God and rely on His grace and provision for my daily needs. And with that assurance and peace of mind, and out of gratitude to Him for all His blessings, I will now try to give as much as I can – not just in terms of money, but also in terms of time.
DO:
I will trust God for His provision and commit to give generously – in terms of money and time — to meaningful causes in church and outside of church. Yes, His grace is sufficient for me and my family. Last year marked the 10th year of my intentional discipleship journey together with my wife. Out of gratitude to God, my wife and I committed to supporting one church project every year where we will give of our time and a donation. We will commit to doing this for as long as we can!
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace that enabled me to earn and save all that I could. All that I have come from you. May your grace now enable me to give as much as I can, even though I am now retired. For I can always trust you for your provision. Your grace, indeed, is sufficient for me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
