One of the important principles I taught my children was that comparison is the “kiss of death.”
Comparison usually leads to self-doubt, inferiority, or a sense of lacking. In some cases, it can diminish someone’s feelings or experience.
There are several cases in the Bible where comparisons and competition were viewed unfavorably. However, as we noted last week, that is exactly what Paul does in 2 Corinthians 8.
He begins by citing the generosity of the Macedonians and then asks the Corinthians to compare their love to the love of Christ.
Our Response to Jesus’ Great Gift
My journey to understanding began over fifteen years ago, when my friend and mentor Rob Martin challenged me to take a closer look at 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, the passage Rob referred to as the holy grail of giving.
I picked up the gauntlet, and over the next few months, I gave those two chapters my full attention. Working through this passage, when I got to 2 Corinthians 8:9-10, Paul’s words struck me to the quick. I realized that he wanted me to compare my giving to the giving Jesus did when He walked on this earth.
Jesus who, according to Psalm 24:1 owns everything, had given everything so that I might become “rich.” He had given all for my spiritual freedom. Paul was asking the Corinthians to compare their giving to that!
My giving seemed so pathetic compared to Jesus’ owning all and giving all. No wonder there is no tithe in the New Testament! Ten percent seems so weak and pathetic compared to Jesus’ giving on the cross...
I have this radical and emotional streak in me, so I quickly came to some preliminary conclusions as Paul’s teaching settled into my soul. With tears streaming down my face, I walked into the family room where my poor wife was relaxing, watching a Hallmark movie.
When I sat down on the couch, she noticed I was crying. She got this “oh no” look on her face and pushed pause. I told her through tears—with no introduction at all—that we needed to sell everything we had and give it all to God.
The next day, Marla told me that the last time she saw me like that, we ended up living in Poland for ten years. We talked and prayed, and she walked me away from the edge of the cliff. We aren’t currently living in a tent on a field somewhere.
However, both of us were convicted. We knew God wants our hearts to be tender toward the enormous sacrifice made by Jesus Christ, and we realized with all humility that our giving is a small response to His great gift to us. Our response must be giving generously.
Closing Thoughts
Yes, giving is an expression of love. This radical new perspective means that fundraising isn’t just about getting money for the ministry.
On the Road Well Traveled the focus is on generating income for the church or ministry organization. The pastor or fund raiser is working in that paradigm.
In the paradigm, relationships are built, spiritual ROI’s (return on investment) are communicated, vision is cast, and emotional stories are shared; all with the goal of motivating the “donor” to give a gift to the church or ministry.
The focus is on the gift, giver, and recipient. It’s all along the horizontal plane between the giver and the recipient.
Paul seems to be working in a completely different paradigm where the focus is on the giver motivated by and responding to God’s gift of Christ Jesus. This creates a ministry paradigm that is focused on the spiritual life of the giver who is being encouraged to respond to God.
On this Road Less Traveled, fundraising is about helping people respond to God for the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for us on Calvary—not a theme I’d ever heard or read or taught in my years of ministry and fundraising.
I wish I could say I’ve attended a training seminar called “Helping People Respond to the Cross of Christ.” I haven’t—but that can change, can’t it?
Why not? Why not include this profound spiritual truth in our teaching from the pulpit? Why not speak of fundraising as a way of responding to Jesus’ love?
This paradigm-shifting teaching on 2 Corinthians 8:9 can become foundational for the Road Less Traveled.
The Road Well Traveled: Secure the funding for the ministry, build relationships with donors, and always make the ask.
The Road Less Traveled: Invite people to respond to the cross of Jesus Christ by giving their material goods.