Personal Giving

Every week, I receive emails from ministries asking me to give. If you are like me, when you hear that word "give," you tend to think in terms of dollars. If you take a moment to ponder further, you might think of other things that can be given: a donation of clothing, a bit of time, or maybe some expertise you possess. (This might be because we talk enough around Riverwood about "giving your FIST: Finances, Influence, Skills, & Time.")

But in the final verse of our key passage (2 Corinthians 8:1-5) for this 7 Qualities of a Giver series, we hear that true generosity goes even deeper than our FIST:

“…[T]hey gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.” (2 Corinthians 8:5, ESV, emphasis added)

In other words, before the Macedonian Jesus-followers ever gave a coin, they gave something far more valuable: themselves.

It Starts With the Heart

Throughout this series, we’ve seen how the Macedonian believers joyfully gave sacrificially with faith, and an eager willingness to help. But here in verse 5, Paul reveals that their generous actions were rooted in personal devotion. They weren’t just donating money, food, or clothing — they were offering their lives.

That’s what made their generosity so powerful. Giving for them wasn’t merely a financial transaction; it was an act of worship to a holy God. (Romans 12:1)

Too often, we flip the order. We focus on giving to a cause or a need. But the Macedonians got it correct – give yourself first to the Lord. Why? Because true generosity is to flow out of your relationship with Christ, the one who so generously gave Himself for you. If it doesn't, your giving will become dry, forced, or guilt-driven.

This is why we talk a thousand times more about Jesus than tithing at Riverwood. As important as giving is for your heart, we know that when you’re surrendered to Jesus—when you’ve truly said, “Lord, all I am and all I have is Yours”—your giving becomes joyful, meaningful, generous, and personal.

This is why God calls us through Paul's words to be like the Macedonians. "Giving your FIST" isn't about one-time donations; it’s about daily surrender. It’s saying, “God, You can have my plans, my calendar, my gifts, my paycheck, my relationships, my body... you can have me.”

Giving All of Yourself

As we wrap up this series, let me conclude with this question: Have you given yourself to the Lord first?

Ten days ago, we saw this perfectly lived out. Five individuals gave themselves to the Lord through the sacrament of baptism. Each declared their allegiance to the Lord by identifying with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Will they live perfectly after their baptism? Of course not. But was it their intention to give their dreams, desires, bodies, bank accounts, and more to the Lord? Absolutely!

That is why, as we conclude our series, we each need to ask, "Is there any part of my life I've been holding back from God the Father?" Because if you try to grow in generosity but haven’t first personally surrendered all of yourself to Jesus, you’ll find it difficult. You can't "buy" God's favor through donating to Riverwood or some other ministry. Generosity is more than a donation; it is born out of devotion.

So be honest with yourself: Is there an area of your life you need to give to God? If so, start there. Give Him your heart, your trust, your life, your everything. Because if you do, then, just like the Macedonians, everything else, including your giving, will flow from that sacred starting point.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. May God grow each of us into people who give sacrificially, faithfully, joyfully, willingly, eagerly, spontaneously, and personally—for His glory and the good of others.