We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favour of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul was describing the Macedonians to the Corinthians as being incredibly generous despite their extreme poverty. They refused to let their predicament be an excuse for them to abstain from helping to ease the financial burden of the Jerusalem believers. It is incredible that they begged Paul to give them the opportunity to give. They not only gave within their means but also beyond and above their means.

There is a lesson for us to learn here.

Generosity is something we each choose for ourselves. We shouldn't be compelled or pressured to give to God by anyone. What is forced on us doesn't really bring out the best in us and doesn't last. Unfortunately, many believers are exposed to beliefs and behaviour that encourage unhealthy giving, which inhibits them from giving with the right heart and pure motive.

Living a generous life is always intentional and never accidental.

The grace of giving generously comes from giving ourselves first to God, and then to His people. If we genuinely recognise that we are His, we will understand that God is the rightful owner of everything we own. Then we will cease from relying on our wealth and possession to be the currency of our identity, significance and security. Instead of living for ourselves and our own indulgences, we begin to live for Him. This makes giving and sharing easy and even enjoyable.

Open-handed generosity requires nothing in return.

There is nothing more exciting than living a generous life, for we are opening ourselves to partnering with God to love and bless those around us. Every time we give out of the revelation of who and what we have in Christ, we become freer and freer of our attachment to material things and unhealthy accumulation. This is because the gospel has abundantly enriched us, enabling us to give with an attitude of abundance rather than scarcity.