Years ago, I sat in a car listening to a pastor friend share about the struggles of his marriage. Tim* and his wife were barely talking. When they did, it was only about their schedules and maintaining the house. If they tried to address any other issue (parenting, finances, ministry, intimacy, etc.), it devolved into an argument. It hurt my heart to hear my friend share his pain with me. I prayed right there in the car with Tim, and then promised to not only keep praying, but to check in on him every once in a while.
A few weeks later, I was able to connect with Tim. He said things weren't perfect yet but had definitely improved. I asked what had changed. He said that after we talked, he realized he had been blaming his wife for the breakdown in the relationship and not taking responsibility for his part. So he decided to try to show kindness and love to his wife again. One way he attempted to communicate his love was to buy her flowers every Friday as she used to love getting flowers on birthdays and anniversaries.
He said the first time he bought them, she just rolled her eyes. But the next week, she shocked him by saying, "Those are lovely. Thank you." Then on the third Friday, they actually had a conversation after dinner that didn't devolve into yelling or doors slamming. Then on the fourth Friday (if I remember correctly), they actually planned a date.
I could hear the difference in Tim's voice. When we sat in that car together weeks prior, Tim talked as though divorce was inevitable. Yet now, his voice was brimming with hope. His weekly gift of flowers had managed to bring joy to not only his wife, but to himself as well.
Today, we continue our 7 Qualities of a Giver blog series by looking at the phrase "abundance of joy" found in verse 2 of our key passage for this series (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). We've already seen how giving is to be a sacrifice (not just given out of our abundance), and that this sacrificial giving requires faith. But this sort of giving shouldn't create dread in our hearts. Rather, it is to be done with joy!
If you've been tracking with us thus far in this series, we've seen that the Macedonians were not rich by any means. Yet out of their poverty, they still gave sacrificially. But they did so with joy! Here is how God had the Apostle Paul share this news...
"[F]or in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part." (2 Corinthians 8:2, emphasis added)
Too often, we erroneously think poverty leads to sadness, that only riches can bring joy. How wrong this is! Sometimes, being "poor" frees your heart to enjoy your relationships (both with others and with God) more fully. The Macedonians were so joy-filled at the news of what Jesus had done for them through the cross and empty tomb, their joy spilled over into their giving to help meet the needs of others. And while Paul doesn't tell us this in 2 Corinthians, it would be natural to assume that the recipients of the gift from the Macedonian Jesus-followers would have been filled with joy as well.
That is the power of true Christ-centered giving. Not only will the recipients of your gift receive joy, but you will find joy in being used by God in such a way.
So your assignment this week: find one person to whom you can give. It could be a gift of financial help, the gift of your time, or a gift of serving. As you give, aim to also give them joy. But don't be surprised to find your own heart brimming with joy as well.
*Name changed
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