When Asked to Give: 2 Corinthians 8:16-9:5, especially vs. 9:5:
"....that [your generous gift may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation."
Since Moses' time, the People of God have given both "tithes and offerings" (see Dt. 12:6,11) to God's temples, recognizing that tithes, ten percent of one's increase, were commanded by God and that offerings were unspecified gifts offered out of joy, thanksgiving or a sense of responsibility for particular needs. Tithes were spent in support of the worship of God (clergy and community costs), while offerings were directed to special needs of the temples, the clergy, or the poor and afflicted.
At present, the Faithful are confronted almost continuously with requests for donations and gifts from social funds, Church agencies, and other requests of all types. How does one best decide about giving offerings to causes for which he is solicited? Today's reading provides basic apostolic advice concerning requests for offerings made within the Church by worthy agencies in or through the Church.
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At the time he wrote, St. Paul was administering an extensive collection of funds from the Gentile churches for famine relief on behalf of suffering Christians in Judea. He was addressing the disciples at Corinth. Still, by implication, he speaks to all Christian donors concerning the spiritual benefits of offerings. He addresses the right attitudes one ought to have toward those conveying gifts, and to the appropriate state of mind and heart on the part of those who give.
St. Paul described two spiritual benefits inherent in offering to the famine relief project he was heading: giving reveals "the glory of the Lord Himself and [shows] our readiness to help" (vs. 19). When one offers in response to the Lord Who prompts us "to do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Gal. 6:10), it is God's glory which is visibly manifest before men. Also the transforming work of the Spirit in the hearts of the Faithful is made visible, so that all see the goodness, love, and generosity, which the Holy Spirit achieves in the Faithful.
Second, in this passage, the Apostle warns Christians against resistance toward those from established and proven Church agencies who appeal for offerings. Living in a world of telephone solicitors, bulk mail appeals, and street advocates, a Christian has to have some method for sorting out all the requests that come to him. What to do?
The Apostle discloses what ought to be our attitudes toward those who legitimately approach us in the Name of the Church. Their appeals should not be treated with ‘automatic' opposition: they come caring for us (vs. 16); they are diligently serving our common Lord "of [their] own accord" (vs. 17); they come praised "throughout all the churches" (vs. 18); they provide "honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men" (vs.21); they are official "messengers of the churches" (vs. 23). This does not imply that we must give in response to every appeal, but that we should not reject appeals from defensive habits.
Finally, St. Paul encourages us to offer, as we are able, "as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation" (vs. 9:5). God bestows blessings upon offerings when the heart of the giver is united in spirit and will to Him. Resist social pressure. Resist giving from guilt. Instead, let us listen to our fellow Christians' appeals, look into our hearts, consider with prayer what we are able to do, plan our giving, and above all listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
O Christ our God, accept our oblations and sacrifices of praise that is the fruit of lips that acknowledge Thy Name; and aid us in doing good to all with offerings pleasing unto Thee.