5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
Few things in life bother me more than someone who thinks they are doing God a favor by giving grudgingly. What a waste! Here Paul is encouraging these Jesus-followers to stay true to their original intent. They were enthusiastic in their initial response to a need. They were eager to step up and meet the need. But over time they seemed to be lagging in the follow through. They got started well, but the every-day routine pulled them off track. Paul has been bragging about their response to other believers and in response, those other believers have also taken up the challenge of meeting this need. But now it is time for the Corinthian believers to pay the bill. They must step up to the plate, put the money where their mouth is, put feet to their good intentions. If they don’t, both they and Paul will be embarrassed. Paul is trying to help them save face, to honor the Lord in line with their original intent. Have you ever spoken a word of commitment, but then later allowed other pressures to pull you away from that commitment? I’m not just talking about your missions pledge at church. (I do hope you take opportunities to reach beyond the four walls of your church in giving.) But I am talking about your commitments of time, energy, self and money. But even more important is how we are giving. Usually a grudging attitude enters our giving when we think we either deserve what we have or that we are owed what we don’t have. Either attitude rises from an inflated image of self. When we realize that everything, and I mean everything, comes from the grace of God, then who are we to either boast in what we have or complain about what we don’t have. We all have more than we deserve. Grace has overflowed, even in the lives of those with the least. But greater responsibility exists with those of us in whom the Lord has poured more. To whom much is given, much is required. What are you doing with what you have? Are you giving out of an abundantly thankful heart?
The Arnold Journey 