TOPIC:
THE SECRET OF GIVING
WORD OF WISDOM:
liberality in giving has nothing to do with the amount of one’s income or bank account
So, I am going to keep reaching out about the importance of every single member of Ndigbo Computer Village Ikeja Lagos to partake and attract the blessings that come from harvest and Thanksgiving. Yes, you can experience turnaround in your business and your finances in your practice. The pattern i called the Macedonia Syndrome.
I am going to simplify it. The secret is just their heart, their generosity. So, let me also expansiate further. The example of sacrificial giving that Paul held before them was Jesus. As God, he was rich. All of creation was his to do with as he chose. And he was rich in glory, honour, and power. But, as an act of his grace, he became poor for our sake.
As believers, we have or many occasions read in the in the Bible about the giving that the churches in the region of Macedonia did. So, the bible teaches that the congregations in that area were located in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and perhaps elsewhere. They supported the apostle Paul when he preached in Corinth and other places, you can read (2 Corinthians 11:8,9; Philippians 4:15,16).
However, it is the tremendous giving that the Macedonian churches did in another matter that really catches our eye. The first five verses in 2 Corinthians 8 reveal this message about their giving:
(1) Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia
(2) that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.
(3) For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing
(4) imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
(5) And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
What can we learn from the contributions that these brethren in the Lord from the distant past made? There really are some great lessons here.
Note here that they gave even when they were in a condition that the Bible calls “a great trial of affliction” (8:2). I hope someone will be encouraged by these examples, for it shows us that it is possible to remain steadfast even when trials abound in your business and generally in life. Their action also remind us that in the specific matter of giving, a child of God can continue to give to the Lord even when he/she is facing trials and difficulties.
Another, they had abundant joy, even though they were afflicted. To many, it may sound like a fantasy to speak of being happy in the midst of afflictions, but these brethren remind us that it can be done (James 1:2,3).
Lastly, despite their economic status, they were in “deep poverty,” and they were liberal in their giving. Thus, we understand that liberality in giving has nothing to do with the amount of one’s income or bank account. We recall what Jesus said about a woman that gave only two coins (which was all she had): “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all” (Luke 21:3). Once again, as we think of the Christians of Macedonian, we may smile and shake our heads.
It’s the time of the year you must practice to give in support of the end of year Thanksgiving. Everyone had to participate and give. Support the association to give you the best end of year Thanksgiving/Party 2025. Your support will go a long way towards achieving the needed results.
Thank you.
Brother Austin C Agbakor.
