Paul's call to the Corinthian believers was uncompromising: they had agreed to give help to other believers in need, but they had not fulfilled their promise (2 Corinthians 8:6-7). The apostle therefore wanted them to know that their eagerness to give was not a casual matter. God expected them to do what they had said (Nehemiah 5:13) because He is a promise-keeping God (2 Peter 3:9).

We do not know the circumstances in, what is now, southern Greece, but it may be that their income had reduced. Paul was not legalistic about this gift; if they did not have any money, they could not give what they did not possess (2 Corinthians 8:12). If they only had a little money, then to give it all away may have relieved one area of poverty but it would also have created another. However, if they had more than they really needed to live on, to give away the surplus would be a blessing. In time those who had been blessed by the gift would be able to give to the church in Corinth.

Paul reminded them of Exodus 16:13-18 in which Moses instructed the children of Israel in the wilderness to gather the Manna, the bread from heaven, which God sent to feed His people for 40 years. Whatever people gathered was enough for them, nobody had too much and nobody had too little. That principle of equality is important to help regulate the way in which we share God's good gifts with each other. Psalm 27:25-26 affirms that there is enough provision if only we will share: "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed."

Some have taken this principle to justify demanding what they want from other believers or members of their family: it does not. But it does underline Paul's appeal on behalf of other people, and his concern that believers should honour their promises and be alert to the needs of others – so that they can give out of what God has already given to them. We are only trustees of the possessions God has placed in our hands. They do not belong to us but to Him. We have then so that God can meet our needs, and meet the needs of others through us. Our motive is not duty (although we do have a duty to care) but God-implanted love (1 Thessalonians 2:8). So, what is the Lord saying to you about this? Where does He want your eager giving to be directed?