II Corinthians 8:1-3

II Corinthians 8:1-3 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Paul started several churches and the churches gave so that he could go to the next town and start the next church. At one point, word came that the church in Jerusalem was having tremendous persecution. So all of the churches decided to send money to help the suffering church in Jerusalem. So Paul was telling the church in Corinth how that the poor churches in Macedonia were sacrificing more than they were. What a great testimony. And not only did the churches in Macedonia give as much as they could, they gave more than they could even afford. So how in the world could they do that? Paul gives us the secret here in verse 3: they first gave themselves and then it was easy to give their money. And that is the key. If God has us, then of course God has our money. And what was true of the churches in Macedonia should be true of us. Don’t give your money to the Lord, give yourself to the Lord . . . and then give your money. What a great idea!