The barometer of giving

By Andy O'Connell

A barometer

Part 3 of a 3 part blog. Part 1Part 2.

This is a barometer. A barometer helps us understand what is going on with the weather, which is always a bit hard to work out (esp in Britain). It helps us understand something that is a bit complicated. A barometer doesn't tell us everything we need to know about the weather, but it tells us enough to discern what is going on.

We're looking at the question of financial discipleship, through Paul's challenge to the Corinthian church in 2 Cor 8-9. As I spoke on this subject in Oxford Community Church last weekend, this image was one of two that seemed to connect with people. (For more on the other image, and why we need to talk about money, please read my earlier 2 blogs.)

The tone of Paul's letter is fascinating. Not a rebuke, but an encouragement. A cheeky encouragement! He is encouraging the Greek Corinthian church to participate in the famine relief offering, in part by comparing them to churches in their long-term political rival Macedonia, almost provoking them, stirring them to a sense of competitiveness. Cheeky!

And the passage interweaves this cheeky encouragement with a strong message about generosity flowing from the overflowing grace of God.

In 2 Cor 8:8 he says, 'I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.' The challenge in this verse is to let the love that's in you be proven true through your generosity!

Generosity is a demonstration of love. If my wife says she loves me, but refuses to share her stuff with me, what should I think of her love?

Giving is a barometer, a sign of what is happening in our hearts. That's true as we look at our own personal finances, and and so it's good to review them, asking 'how generous we are being?'

It's also true for us as we look at church finances. Ephesians 5 tells us that 'Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her'. We too are called to love the church. If you think that loving an institution is a bit odd, then you've got an odd idea of church! The church is a community, it's Christ's body on earth, it's a family. We're called to love that family. Do we love our church family, its community, and mission? Then, Paul would say, let your love be proven to be genuine - by your giving!