2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NLT)
"Now I want you to know, dear brothers and
sisters, [ a ] what God in his kindness has done
through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being
tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But
they are also filled with abundant joy, which has
overflowed in rich generosity.
3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they
could afford, but far more. And they did it of their
own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for
the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in
Jerusalem. [ b] 5 They even did more than we had
hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to
the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do."

The New International Version simplifies the clearity
"And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to
know about the grace that God has given the
Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe
trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty
welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they
gave as much as they were able, and even beyond
their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently
pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this
service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our
expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the
Lord, and then by the will of God also to us."

Having confirmed that most cec members are poor and wretched even though they hate to admit, kindly note that the giving in the scripture you referred to was meant to help church members in jerusalem that were in need. The collection wasn't used by a vain pastor to jerry curl his hair or buy excessive number of jeeps and live an opulent life style.

The issue of giving in the church and other charitable distributions has generated heated debates almost always a discussion has been brokered but the truth is that most of the contributors are people who don't by any standard qualify to earn even the least of attention because they don't they don't have in their custody a good command of the understanding of what the Word of God says about the issue.
Giving as a principle for wealth and prosperity is for the saints so it is needless to consider opinion from non-christians. As christians we live and function by a different sets of rule and one it is you give your way out of lack, want, hardship and poverty because the is bible says
Luke 6:38
"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."
These were the very words of the master and saviour JESUS CHRIST who himself is God. The question now remains; can God lie?

Pastor Kun:

Having confirmed that most cec members are poor and wretched even though they hate to admit

Having confirmed?
This is not a discuss about a group or a church l can't remember making any mention of one or supporting any claims adhered by any church or group. So if you anything else meaninful to contribute please the rest of us would kindly appreciate otherwise quit constituting a distraction because that's what this represents. Thanks.

@newmi
Stop spreading the erroneous poison concocted by oyaks and other fraudsters that christians give their way out of lack as it lacks sound biblical basis. An example of the poor widow who gave her all in the temple that Jesus commended. Did jesus say she would be rewarded financially for her sacrifice?

Pastor Kun:

kindly note that the giving in the scripture you referred to was meant to help church members in jerusalem that were in need.

Very much aware!
THE CENTRAL THEME REMAINS: GIVING!
AND EVEN MORE INSPIRING IS THE FACT THAT THEY GAVE AMIDST THEIR SEVERE LACK, TRIALS AND POVERTY AMD WERE INTERESTINGLY SEEKING FOR MORE OPPORTUNITY TO DO MORE ISN'T THAT AMAZING?

Pastor Kun:

kindly note that the giving in the scripture you referred to was meant to help church members in jerusalem that were in need. The collection wasn't used by a vain pastor to jerry curl his hair or buy excessive number of jeeps and live an opulent life style.

LOL l didn't realize that you have big sense of humor.
We are suppose to be discussing issues that are of paramount significance not kidy talks about jerry curls.
Besides isn't the pastor a member of the church himself? hahahahahah

Thanks,newmi, you are one of those christians that are still on the Lord's side. God bless you. God2man.

@OP
You are correct , solution to poverty is giving. Nice exhortation

Joagbaje:

@OP
You are correct , solution to poverty is giving. Nice exhortation

Thanks Jo your contributions to nairaland has been a phenomenon. Keep it up.

In the following chapter, eight verse the bible succintly declares that "God is able to make all grace abound towards you (the giver)such that in all situations, under all cirumstances, you would be able to give and accomplish your tasks without any aid or support"

I think that very much proves that their giving invariably meant that they would have the grace to keep giving, in otherwords have more.

I recall that as a cell leader i realised that when we needed to give for a program or towards a cause the folks that gave during the last program (my humble self included) were always the ones to give during the next and next. You cannot seperate a giver from a rich person. one precedes the other.

God2man:

Thanks,newmi, you are one of those christians that are still on the Lord's side. God bless you. God2man.

Thanks the truth must be told so we will not keep silence

Pastor Kun:

@newmi
Stop spreading the erroneous poison concocted by oyaks and other fraudsters that christians give their way out of lack as it lacks sound biblical basis.

Please can someone help advice this fella that the more he sends in post the more he exposes his ignorance and a lack of basic bible truth l mean the more he sends the more childish and foolish he sounds, for God sake who is interested in sharing in a personal vendetta and offense you seem to be nursing for someone isn't even aware that someone like you exist with hatred for him.

Pastor Kun:

@newmi
An example of the poor widow who gave her all in the temple that Jesus commended. Did jesus say she would be rewarded financially for her sacrifice?

l can't remember mentioning any specifics with regards to rewards as to what kind or nature it will come but one thing l mentioned as l referenced a quote from Jesus Himself from
Luke 6:38
"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."
here Jesus only said 'GIVE' we are not told what to give rather we observe the use of the pronoun "IT" which presence the suggestion that "IT" could mean anything but the point is whatever the "IT" is Jesus says "GIVE" then in the same measure you give it shall be given to you. SIMPLE I DON'T THINK THIS IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND BESIDE FINANCIAL REWARDS ARE ONLY A SEGMENT OF WEALTH AND TRUE PROPERITY INFACT THE BIBLE REFERS TO IT AS "SHALLOM SHALLOM-PEACE PEACE OR PEACE AND/OR PROPERITY.

Pastor Kun:

An example of the poor widow who gave her all in the temple that Jesus commended. Did jesus say she would be rewarded financially for her sacrifice?

What is even more interesting in that passage is the thought that Jesus Christ the Master, Lord, Saviour and Love Infinito after recognizing the significance of the widow's giving knowing well that was her last two mites yet there is no record that out of "LOVE", "COMPASSION" and "PITY"
as a caring God, He took what she gave and gave her back or perhaps collected welfare offering/charitable donation for her like what many people would foolishly expect today arguing that Pastors are deceiving people and collecting monies from them even from the poor in the name of God.

There is no other way out of poverty for the one who believes in Christ Jesus other than the most excellence way of GIVING BECAUSE GIVING IS ONE OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF LOVE LITTLE WONDER WHY GOD DEMONSTRATED HIS LOVE TOWARDS HOW? BY GIVING.
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life"
God demonstrated His announced Love by acting it out in His giving. Isn't amazingly interesting that the scripture in question doesn't just stop at being a mere promisory note rather beyond that an action was undertaken as a vital demonstration of His Love, You see almost anyone can say ". . . l love u. . . " but not many can boast or are ready to make commitments.

Pastor Kun:

Having confirmed that most cec members are poor and wretched even though they hate to admit, kindly note that the giving in the scripture you referred to was meant to help church members in jerusalem that were in need. The collection wasn't used by a vain pastor to jerry curl his hair or buy excessive number of jeeps and live an opulent life style.

Point of correction CEC members are not poor, they are very rich, high & mighty people, and there giving got them were they are today,
As for the giving of the church in macedonia, even if there giving was to help the members in Jerusalem, I don't think they gave it directly to the brethren, they must have given in there church, and the pastor at that point most have felt that the brethren in jerusalem have need and decided to help out, which is still for the work of ministry. This pastors you publicly castigate, you need to know them one on one and find out how the live there lives and run there ministry, I sure tell you, you will sure appreciate them, you will love them don't be at a distance or work by prejudice.

Pastor Kun:

Having confirmed that most cec members are poor and wretched even though they hate to admit, kindly note that the giving in the scripture you referred to was meant to help church members in jerusalem that were in need. The collection wasn't used by a vain pastor to jerry curl his hair or buy excessive number of jeeps and live an opulent life style.

@newmi,joeagbaje,inedi and co

Did you guys read the bolded line or you choosed to ignore it for your own selfish reasons? Hypocrites!

diluminati:

@newmi,joeagbaje,inedi and co

Did you guys read the bolded line or you choosed to ignore it for your own selfish reasons? Hypocrites!

Well done, accuser of the brethren

@illumiati
Giving is giving, is not more about what it's used for even that has its place . The major thing bout your giving is your ability to conquer you GREED. Your DENIAL ,SACRIFICE That's the principle behind it . what ever the church used it for is not the issue. It's a project. They gave for it. If it were for buying or renting a place of worship,they would still have given.

diluminati:

@newmi,joeagbaje,inedi and co

Did you guys read the bolded line or you choosed to ignore it for your own selfish reasons? Hypocrites!

Perhaps l should refer you to some of my earlier post because that issue was brought up and my simple response was regardless of what or who the object of the giving was the underlining fact remains that in the midst of their severe poverty and challenges they still saw a need to make a GIVING. So l hope that answers your question l didn't ignore the letters on bold presentation