• II Corinthian 8:1 “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
• 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.”
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The Scriptures are replete with examples of using Grace in every day life. II Corinthians 8 and 9 are another example of applying Grace. Both chapters emphasize Grace in the area of giving.  Many world evangelism conferences focus on these two chapters of giving. However, giving is impossible without grace. Starting with vs. 1, Paul tells the Corinthian believers that he wanted them to know (“to wit”) about God’s grace on the Macedonian churches. You see, the Macedonian believers, according to vs. 2, were experiencing a ton of trials while at the same time struggling with “deep poverty”. Humanly speaking, giving to the church or to Christ’s cause was impossible. And yet, vs. 3 reveals that the Macedonian believers went “beyond their power” and (vs. 2) they liberally and abundantly gave of their finances. Maybe Paul and his fellow messengers were hesitant in taking such a large gift from folks struggling so much, because Paul mentions in vs. 4 how the Macedonian believers begged them “with much intreaty that we would receive the gift.” Paul was sending Titus to the Corinthian believers and desiring this “same grace also” (vs. 6) in the area of giving.

So, what is the lesson and how do we apply grace? Well, let’s once again go over grace:

• – Grace is a gift. Grace is giving. For grace to shine in your life, you must give not just to poor people which so many social gospel churches do today. You need to give to your church and to the spread of the gospel in your country and around the world.
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• – Grace is not deserved, earned, or worked for. You do not give simply to the causes you like or that have earned your pleasure. You may not like a particular preacher or a particular people group, but you are still required to give by grace.
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• – Grace is God’s enablement. Not only will your giving enable others to serve the Lord, but God Himself will enable you to give. God’s grace upon the Macedonian churches enabled them to give despite terrible trials and grievous poverty. Christ Himself showed grace by leaving the riches of glory to help poor, sinful us that we might be made rich (vs. 9). We are to do likewise for those around us. If you think you can’t, you are right. But Christ can through you, and God’s grace is never lacking.
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• II Cor. 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”
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So, make sure you are utilizing God’s gift of grace by your financial giving to His cause.