¹²For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. ¹³Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, ¹⁴while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.

Bringing to conclusion his extended exhortation to liberality and grace in their anticipated and expected contribution to helping the Jerusalem Christians, Paul summarizes the benefits. We humans need continuous affirmation to act in altruistic ways. The Oxford Dictionary defines altruism as “[s]howing a disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.” In the humanistic sense, this is impossible, for seemingly selfless acts provide an inner sense of well-being from knowing one has done good. And it is this inner sense that Paul stokes in his wrap-up.

Many popular fundraising efforts misapply verses like the following:

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. (Luke 6:38)

First, the Lord says this in context of the Beatitudes, where He is laying down the general principles of the coming kingdom. Secondly, He is using a metaphor (grain being measured into a person’s lap) to speak of liberality of life. Finally, it is followed by a “parable” about guidance in life: “And He also spoke a parable to them: ‘A blind man cannot guide a blind man…’” (Luke 6:39). So Jesus is speaking with highly figurative language, and the application is to be worked out as biblical history and writings unfold. Paul’s teaching to the Corinthians gives us some clarity on this.

The abundant “good measure” Jesus spoke about is seen in the “supplying the needs of the saints” and the “overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.” Further, the beneficiaries of the Corinthians’ giving (the Jerusalem “saints”) will glorify God because of the “liberality of [their] contributions to them.” In the end, those recipients will not only pray for the givers, but will also have a heart drawn toward them in the fellowship of grace, receiver with the giver. When all recognize this is the grace of God, through the giver to the receiver, what greater blessing is there? Christian giving is nothing other than the grace of God moving through one believer for the benefit of another.

Lord, thank You for the over-abundance of help You have given me. Thank You now for reminding me that my life must be a channel of that help to others.