Excel In Generosity - April 10

Read 2 Corinthians 8:7

But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

Reflect

Do you value excellence? In what areas of your life are you trying to excel? 

As I write this, the 33rd Olympic games are in full-swing in Paris. As a result, so are the ads and commercials promoting the games, the athletes, and Olympic values. A major value that has historically been promoted during the Olympic games is the pursuit and celebration of athletic excellence. 

According to Merriam-Webster, to excel at something means: “to be superior to, to surpass in accomplishment or achievement, to be distinguishable by superiority”. In order to qualify for the games, athletes truly have to be the best of the best. Many of them have spent their whole lives pursuing this level of excellence in their sport. It prompted me to wonder: am I pursuing excellence? If so, in which areas of my life and why?

In today’s verses, the apostle Paul commended the Corinthian church for excelling in different areas of the Christian faith. The Corinthian church certainly had their issues that Paul outspokenly addressed in his letters to them, but Paul acknowledged that they had their strengths as well. 

The NASB translated today’s verse: “But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.” 

Paul recognized that the Corinthian church was already “abounding” in many Christian virtues. They excelled in their faith, that is, they rightly trusted in the Lord alone for their salvation and sanctification. They excelled in their speech and knowledge of the Christian faith, meaning they understood, professed, and applied solid Christian doctrine. They excelled in earnestness, or passion and zeal, for the Gospel. And, they professed an abounding love for the Lord, for Paul, and for their fellow believers.

Now, Paul urged them to abound or excel in the Christian virtue of generosity, as well. In his New Testament Commentary, Dr. Warren Wiersbe explained that the Corinthian church was so focused on excelling in their spiritual giftedness that they neglected the grace of giving. It’s as if they felt like the only contribution they needed to make to the church was their ministry.

Dr. Wiersbe wrote: “We must never argue that the ministry of our spiritual gifts is a substitute for generous giving. ‘I teach a Sunday school class, so I don’t have to give!’ is not an explanation—it’s an excuse. The Christian who remembers that his gifts are gifts will be motivated to give to others and not “hide” behind his ministry for the Lord.” 

I serve on the worship team with my church. Whenever we lead worship as a team, we pursue excellence in our music. God has given us these musical gifts and we want to steward them well to serve others and glorify Him by giving our very best. I think that Paul would say that it is good to pursue excellence in serving on the worship team. But, my financial giving to the church and to those in need, should be on par with my giving in my ministry. He would say that I should pursue excellence in the grace of generosity, as well. 

It is true that we should be generous and give in many different ways besides only giving our money. But we are called to give our time, our talents, and our treasure. We serve the Lord by sacrificially giving ourselves in our ministries to others and with our money. May it be said of us that we pursue excellence in all the Christian virtues, including gracious giving.

Respond

Lord, thank You for every blessing You have given me, both spiritual gifts and financial gifts. Please help me pursue excellence and steward all of my gifts well. When I am tempted to hoard my resources, remind me that the only reason I have anything is because You gave them to me. Help me excel in the grace of giving for Your glory alone. Amen. 

Reveal

When we pursue excellence in Jesus’ name, it glorifies God and reveals His grace to others. As you pursue excellence today, in any area of your life, remember to give God the glory as the Giver of your gifts.