Now this had made us ask Titus, who has already done so much among you, to complete his task by arranging for you too to share in this work of generosity. Already you are well to the fore in every good quality—you have faith, you can express that faith in words; you have knowledge, enthusiasm and your love for us. Could you not add generosity to your virtues? I don’t want you to read this as an order. It is only my suggestion, prompted by what I have seen in others of eagerness to help, and here is a way to prove the reality of your love. Do you remember the generosity of Jesus Christ, the Lord of us all? He was rich beyond our telling, yet he became poor for your sakes so that his poverty might make you rich.

10-15 Here is my opinion in the matter. I think it would be a good thing for you, who were the first a year ago to think of helping, as well as the first to give, to carry through what you then intended to do. Finish it, then, as well as you can, and show that you can complete what you set out to do with as much efficiency as you showed readiness to begin. After all, the important thing is to be willing to give as much as we can—that is what God accepts, and no one is asked to give what he has not got. Of course, I don’t mean that others should be relieved to an extent that leaves you in distress. It is a matter of share and share alike. At present your plenty should supply their need, and then at some future date their plenty may supply your need. In that way we share with each other, as the scripture says, ‘He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack’. J.B. Phillips

Although Paul uses the supreme example of the ”grace” of the Lord Jesus, who impoverished Himself for our sakes (and this impoverishment was not simply an economic one. It probably refers to the whole cost of our Lord’s generous self-giving), Paul did not expect the Corinthians to impoverish themselves. He just wanted for there to be a levelling-up across the church. God looks upon the heart. He sees and values the desire to give. The giving should be willing, in proportion to a person’s income and means. So it’s not a set amount that Paul has in mind, and that remains between the individual and God.

Give in proportion to what you have. 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. 14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. NLT

This section ends with a quote from Exodus 16:18. Paul finds an illustration of the sort of equality he has in mind in the experience of the exodus community. When God provided manna from heaven, the needs of all were met. No-one suffered lack, and no-one had an over-supply.

I think it is important to bear in mind that Paul was writing about a specific and urgent need at that time, requiring a collective effort from the Gentile churches especially, demonstrating their oneness in Christ with their Jewish brothers and sisters. Nevertheless, there are timeless principles of Christian giving here, to be placed alongside other principles found elsewhere in the Bible.

I often think of this quote, but I can’t remember who said it: ‘If there’s anything you own you can’t give away; you don’t own it. It owns you.’