Is it necessary to excel in the grace of giving?

Only if we want to experience some wonderful blessings! God promises that when we give, we will receive—“a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Think of this. The word translated “excel” means to abound, even “super-abound” in giving, to give in excess, the idea of holding back nothing. One translation says “to be eager to give, and to give more generously than anyone else.”

When the apostle Paul tells the Corinthians to “excel in this grace of giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7), he is laying down an important kingdom principle: we should be generous givers. This is fairly easy when things are going well, but when finances are tight, many of us are tempted to delay or scale down our financial giving, even our tithe. It’s our choice, but if we do, we may miss out on some of God’s most generous blessings:

“‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’” (Malachi 3:10, italics added)

“…I [Paul] am amply supplied, now that I have received…the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:18-19, italics added)

Our God is a giving God who honors His promises when we live by His principles. May He give us the courage to excel in the grace of giving.