By D.A. Carson S econd Corinthians 8-9 are a mine of godly counsel on how to give money away, and on how to ask believers to give money away. We must give ourselves before we give our money. To give money without first giving yourself to the Lord sounds too much like a deed of self-righteousness that is meant to cover up a want of repentance. Of course, Paul is the first to recognize that sometimes one's circumstances change. But never use God's gracious understanding as an excuse to cover up the subtle shift from initial enthusiasm to stingy performance.
Christians ought to share with believers who have less.
If the Gospel is having its proper course in their lives, love for brothers and sisters in Christ will inevitably seek out ways to help them. Christians who give money and Christians who administer such money must do so with transparent integrity. In many areas of Christian service it is enough to have the Lord's approval, no matter what the world thinks. But in fiscal matters, where charges of corruption can do almost as much damage as corruption, we must be clean before God, and we must be seen by the world to be clean. Talking in the right way about the gifts that other believers have given may stir up some to godly emulation.