II Corinthians 8:5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God
Maybe you have heard someone say, “You should give ‘til it hurts.” Well, I have been to many a fast-food restaurant where that seemed to be the governing rule of the people who were providing the food. They gave me my hamburger, but they didn’t give a smile. They were totally disinterested and it was almost as if doing what they were doing, giving what they were giving, serving what they were serving, was a pain for them no matter what it may have done for me and other customers.
In I Peter it says we are to “use hospitality…without grudging.” All of us have known people who have done us a kindness. Maybe they served us a hamburger, sent a card, or some nice thing, but it was obligatory. It didn’t seem like they were much into it. The truth is you don’t have anything to give but yourself. Your money, your time, your smile, and your cheer are but reflections of you yourself. It is much easier to give a dollar than to give yourself. It is much easier to give service than to give your heart. But, if I give myself first, nothing that need be given will be withheld.
In II Corinthians 8 Paul is encouraging these believers to be givers, to give toward other believers who were in great need. He uses the churches of Macedonia as an example of giving. In verse 5 he says, “And this they did [their giving], not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” So, they gave themselves to God, then they gave themselves to others. They gave money, but they had given themselves first. If you do not give yourself first, there is nothing else you really have to give. Everything else is a result, an extension, of that gift.
Throughout II Corinthians 8-9 a consistent theme is a willingness to give, a readiness to give. He even talks about a forwardness to give. In II Corinthians 8:3 he says, “For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves.” They didn’t have a lot of money, but they had a lot of generosity. At the end of the day, rich people don’t give; generous people give. The generous person may be rich in money or they may be poor in money, but anyone can give. And, a giver always can because God will see to it. God gives to us so that God can give through us.
In II Corinthians 8:11 he talks about a “readiness to will.” That is a ready will. In verse 12 he talks about that there must first be a willing mind. So, before I can give something, a service, or sacrifice, there needs to be giving of myself first. That is much harder.
In II Corinthians 9:2 he says, “For I know the forwardness of your mind.” He says, “I have been bragging of you to others that you are giving people, so be ready to give.” In verse 3 he says just that, “That…ye may be ready.”
So, when you are thinking about someone who might need a kind word or some money, before you give a thing, give yourself. First give yourself to the Lord, and then to those to whom God has sent you.