“For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:12).
It is hurtful and disappointing to hear the periodic reports of those who have been caught in an attempt to manipulate, exploit, or take advantage of others under the guise of religion. Such reports often involve the questionable fundraising tactics that are sometimes employed by media ministries and other types of religious organizations in soliciting financial support.
Just as Paul the Apostle mentioned earlier in this letter to the Corinthian church, there is no shortage of those who seek to “…market God’s message for profit” (2 Corinthians 2:17 HCSB), even today. With these things in mind, how can we recognize and protect against such excesses? Well, the single most effective way to identify and guard against these and other types of spiritual improprieties involves two commitments:
- A prayerful commitment to read the Scriptures on a daily basis. (1)
- A prayerful commitment to put its teachings into practice in the circumstances we encounter.
For instance, let’s consider the example of a person who is acquainted with 2 Corinthians chapter eight and the example of the Macedonian Christians who first “…gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God” (2 Corinthians 8:5). Ideally, that person would follow the same good example in considering whether to support (or decline to support) a particular ministry.
Furthermore, he or she would also be familiar with the teaching found in the passage quoted above: “God will accept your gift on the basis of what you have to give, not on what you don’t have” (GNB). Therefore, anyone who might be encouraged to “step out in faith” with a sacrificial financial offering on the spur of the moment would know to step back first in order to prayerfully seek God’s direction before committing to a hasty (and potentially unwise) financial gift.
Of course, those who first give themselves to the Lord in this manner might be motivated to give “beyond their ability” just as the Christians in Macedonia did (2 Corinthians 8:3). However, that kind of decision should not be made without prayerful forethought. In the absence of such motivation, the counsel found in 2 Corinthians 8:12 should apply: “If you are really eager to give, then it isn’t important how much you have to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you haven’t” (TLB).
(1) This means prayerfully reading a portion of the Bible every day without the use of interpretative aids. While commentaries (including this one), devotionals, and study aids have their place, there is no substitute for getting into God’s Word on a daily basis and prayerfully reading it for yourself. In the words of one Biblical scholar, “…you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.” (Dr. Bob Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Matthew 1 Copyright ©2016 Bible Lessons International http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/new_testament_studies/VOL01/VOL01_01.html)