Pastor’s Corner“ Joy + Poverty = Generosity?!”

We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. … See that you excel in this grace also. (2 Corinthians 8:1-7)

This Sunday is the conclusion of our stewardship season, the day we’re supposed to hand in our cards pledging the amount of our 2026 financial giving. Honestly, I hesitated to write this reminder, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. It felt callous to continue, as I considered our own “test of affliction” with the recent layoffs, the government shutdown, the furloughs, the rising cost of living, and the resulting sense of uncertainty and insecurity.

As I hesitated—and as I prayed—the Lord reminded me of the above words from Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth. Paul boldly called the Corinthians to enter the flow of giving, because he had witnessed the Spirit’s work in the lives of the Macedonians. Abundance of joy and extreme poverty overflowing into a wealth of generosity. What a counter-intuitive, counter-cultural response to a “severe test of affliction.”

Why were the Macedonians capable of such a response? The imaginations of these early Christians were dominated not by circumstantial fears, but by “the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ. Rich as he was, he gave it all away for us—in one stroke he became poor and we became rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). They were so captivated by God’s generosity to them in Jesus, that it was to Jesus that they turned when the hard times hit. “They gave themselves first to the Lord.”

That’s my encouragement to each one of you this week, regardless of your circumstances. Give yourself first to the Lord. Entrust your finances, your fears, and your future to Jesus, thanking him for the many ways he enriches your life—the resources you do have, the relationships he’s given you, any measure of health or healing you’ve received, the immediate-and-eternal gift of life with God through his Son’s death and resurrection.

Next, ask the Father what grace he is giving to you with regard to your 2026 pledge. “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all contentment in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8). Write down on your pledge card the amounts that delight you.

Then, as an expression of gratitude, trust, and partnership, bring the pledge card with you this Sunday, and offer it with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.

May the Holy Spirit empower you to excel in this grace.

Your Pastor in Christ,