For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.  For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

2 Corinthians 8:12-15 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul told the Corinthians that giving should never become burdensome or even financially crippling. If we are not taught right about giving and receiving, we are more prone to be manipulated by toxic and unscrupulous ideas that promote greed, selfishness, and sinful gain. Then we will become cynical about giving because of bad experiences and false assumptions.

God certainly gives us the capacity to give, and He will never demand us to give something that we do not have or that we are not capable of giving. God is also just in that He doesn't expect us to always give but He also wants us to receive as well. When we learn to give and receive with the right attitude, we will maintain a healthy momentum that allows us to do our part in causes that matter. Then we won’t suffer compassion fatigue from giving so much of ourselves to others.

Paul made his point by using the Old Testament practice of the children of Israel gathering manna when they were wandering in the wilderness. They were instructed to depend on God for the provision of daily manna. Those who did not gather as much still found that they had exactly what they needed and those who gathered a lot had no left over. It was clear that Paul was thinking of the rich Corinthians as well as the poor Macedonians here. Both groups of believers are examples for us to reflect on so that we can follow God’s heart regarding giving and receiving.

Believers in financially struggling churches often believe they don’t have the resources or capacity to fulfil God's mandate to support other ministries and people beyond the church. But the Macedonians showed us that even when we don't have much to offer, we may nevertheless carry out God's will to be a blessing to others.

Believes in churches that are financially more secure are capable of doing more, but instead of helping others with their surplus, they prefer to spend it on themselves or, worse yet, hoard it. The Corinthians were doing just that by withholding the money they had pledged to contribute. While we should save prudently and wisely, we also should give with such carefree and unfettered generosity, spending all we reasonably can to enable others to fulfil their calling before God.

Just as God gave the manna from heaven in the wilderness, so God will amply supply our every need from His riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us (Philippians 4:19). As we receive, we give.