And [the young Macedonian believers] did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. —2 Corinthians 8:5
Paul’s encouraging the Corinthian brothers and sisters to support other believers in need in Jerusalem. Paul nudges the Corinthians and says he was surprised at the Macedonians’ generosity to the Lord‘s work for two reasons:
- They were impoverished and had little to share.
- Rather than viewing what they had as their own, they gave themselves to God and then to his servants who were asking for help to minister to others.
These enthusiastic new believers in Macedonia — Thessalonica and Philippi — were great examples to other believers. Their generosity reminds us of how we should approach our giving to help others in need: give ourselves first to God and then generously share what we have with others!