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"For, as I can testify, (the Macedonians) voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints - and this, not merely as we expected; they gave themselves first to the LORD and, by the will of God, to us..."

(2 Corinthians 8:3-5)

Financial stewardship and generosity is one of those skills that is often hard to embrace as a Christian. For most of us, life is full of financial obligations. We rarely have what we'd call "an abundance" of money. So we worry, we scrimp, we save, we are very careful not to overextend our commitments. There's a lot of wisdom to this, but as a Christian, we miss one big piece of the puzzle when we think this way: everything we have is God's. God can help us with a spirit of generosity if only we'll trust that He can provide for us.

That's the joy that the Macedonian Christians had. Paul knew that he'd seen it first hand. They didn't have a lot (materially - especially compared to others), but they gave very generously... beyond their measure. Why? How? Paul knows it's due to one reason and one reason only: THEY GAVE THEMSELVES TO GOD FIRST! Once they went "all in" on their relationship with God, their resources became less of a burden and more of a joy. Wow.

What would it look like to give myself completely to God this week? Beyond what I've already done. Would it change the way I handle money? The way I use my time? The people I intentionally connect with? My thoughts? Or words? Or actions?

May it be so.