Which other scriptures encourage giving "entirely on their own" like in 2 Corinthians 8:3? Giving “Beyond Their Ability” (2 Corinthians 8:3) “For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it, of their own accord.” Paul highlights believers who did not wait for pressure or pledges; they simply saw the need and acted. Old-Testament Freewill Pictures • Exodus 35:5 – “Take from among you a contribution to the LORD. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring…” • Exodus 35:21-22 – “Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit prompted him came and brought an offering…” • Exodus 36:5-7 – “The people are bringing much more than enough… So the people were restrained from bringing more.” • 1 Chronicles 29:6-9 – “The leaders… gave willingly… The people rejoiced at the willingness of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD.” • 1 Chronicles 29:17 – “I have seen Your people… offer willingly to You.” These scenes show men and women moved internally, not externally, to supply God’s work. Wisdom’s Call to Voluntary Generosity • Proverbs 3:9-10 – “Honor the LORD with your wealth… then your barns will be filled…” • Proverbs 11:24-25 – “One gives freely, yet gains even more… A generous soul will prosper.” The inspiration is internal honor of God, not external coercion. Jesus Commends Heartfelt Sacrifice • Luke 21:1-4 – A poor widow “out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” Her act flowed from devotion, not demand; Jesus celebrates the motive over the amount. Spirit-Led Sharing in the Early Church • Acts 2:44-45 – Believers “sold their possessions… and shared with anyone in need.” • Acts 4:32-35 – “No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own… they laid [the proceeds] at the apostles’ feet.” • Acts 4:37 – Barnabas “sold a field… brought the money.” These gifts erupted naturally from a heart unified by the Spirit. Paul’s Further Teaching on Voluntary Giving • 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 – “Each of you should set aside a portion of his income” weekly—planned, yet personal. • 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – “Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” • Romans 12:8 – “If it is giving, let him give generously.” • Philippians 4:14-18 – The Philippians send support “again and again,” a fragrant offering to God. • Philemon 14 – Paul refuses to pressure: “Your goodness would not be by compulsion, but of your own free will.” • 1 Timothy 6:17-19 – The wealthy are to be “generous and ready to share,” storing up eternal treasure. Putting It Together Across Scripture, giving that delights the Lord is: • Willing (“whose heart stirred him”) • Proportionate (“according to their ability”) • Sometimes sacrificial (“even beyond it”) • Cheerful (“God loves a cheerful giver”) • Directed toward genuine need and God’s purposes The pattern set in 2 Corinthians 8:3 pulses through the entire biblical narrative—hearts moved by grace, hands opened in trust, needs met to God’s glory. |
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