Day 14- Equation for Success
"And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they 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 8:1-5
Giving is not only the responsibility of the rich, it is also the privilege of the poor. We see this in the writings of Paul as he tells of the amazing generosity of the Macedonian church. And yet to the Macedonians it was business as usual. In fact, the passage says that they “pleaded for the privilege” of giving. What do they know that we need to know? Here are a few thoughts:
While most Americans live in an affluent poverty (having more than we need but not all that we want and therefore living a lifestyle that costs more than we make) that makes them slaves to debt, the Macedonians lived in the simple liberty (living within your means so that you are free to do what God asks and what advances his work). The resulting freedom and joy of being involved in God’s work more than compensated for the lack of things.
The simple life lives on less to give more. In practical terms, people who live simply choose to:
If these are your practices, you are well on your way to building a foundation for a generous life.