捐獻與感恩
哥林多後書八章1至9節
1弟兄們，我把神賜給馬其頓眾教會的恩告訴你們，
2就是他們在患難中受大試煉的時候，仍有滿足的快樂，在極窮之間還格外顯出他們樂捐的厚恩。
3我可以證明，他們是按著力量，而且也過了力量，自己甘心樂意的捐助，
4再三的求我們，准他們在這供給聖徒的恩情上有分；
5並且他們所做的，不但照我們所想望的，更照神的旨意先把自己獻給主，又歸附了我們。
6因此我勸提多，既然在你們中間開辦這慈惠的事，就當辦成了。
7你們既然在信心、口才、知識、熱心，和待我們的愛心上，都格外顯出滿足來，就當在這慈惠的事上也格外顯出滿足來。
8我說這話，不是吩咐你們，乃是藉著別人的熱心試驗你們愛心的實在。
9你們知道我們主耶穌基督的恩典：他本來富足，卻為你們成了貧窮，叫你們因他的貧窮，可以成為富足。
信息分享
保羅談及捐獻的動機，因為我們很容易會有錯誤的動機。很多時候我們捐獻，是為了討神的喜悅，甚至是為了贏得好的名聲。
但保羅在此強調，真正的捐獻是對神恩典的回應。他以馬其頓的教會為例：他們沒有考慮到自己的力量微薄，反而深深體會神為他們所作的一切，全是豐盛的恩典，所以他們甘願按著所得的恩作出回應。
他們被神的恩典深深感動。因此，他們儘管貧窮，卻仍然苦苦懇求保羅容讓他們作出損獻！這不就是真誠的感恩嗎？
此外，他們的愛人之心，也可證明他們愛神。愛意味著付出。愛永不會說：「我是否付出得太多？」而會說：「我如何才能完全甘心樂意地付出？」正如有人說過：「只要有愛，就會付出。」
保羅向哥林多信徒指出：「馬其頓的信徒樂意捐獻，因為他們深深體會到神的恩典。他們願意以真誠的愛來向神作出回應，以致他們毫不計較地去關心別人。」這是何等寶貴的捐獻！
我們捐獻的時候，絕不應只為了履行責任，更應該是出乎內心的感動。當我們深深體驗到自己領受了神豐富的恩典，深深領會到神對自己的愛，我們才會出於對神的愛而作出捐獻。這種捐獻不單能夠榮耀神，捐獻的人也會滿心喜樂呢！
GIVING AND THANKSGIVING
2 Corinthians 8:1-9
1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:
2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.
3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,
4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well.
7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.
8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
Message
Paul wrote concerning motives in giving. We can easily have wrong motives. We can give to win favour with God. We can think it will give us a great reputation for our generosity.
But Paul emphasised that true giving is the result of being touched by the grace of God. He used the churches in Macedonia as an example. Instead of thinking how little they could give, they recognised all that God had done for them and gave accordingly.
They were so overwhelmed by the grace of God that, in spite of deep poverty, they begged to be allowed to give! That is true 'thanksgiving', isn't that?
Their love for God was also seen in their love for others. Loving means giving, doesn't it? Love never asks 'how much or how little can I give', but love says 'how can I give as much as I would like to give'. As someone has said -'while love lives, love gives.'
Paul was saying, 'the Macedonian Christians gave because they had been touched by the grace of God and their love for him was genuine. This produced in them a magnificent concern for other people.' What a wonderful tribute if our giving is more than a duty.
It should be more than our answer to a strong emotional appeal. It should come out of our love for God and recognition of His goodness to us. That kind of giving brings glory to God and joy to the giver. Try it.