Anyone who qualifies for the Olympics is already performing at an incredibly high level. But competing against fellow Olympic-class athletes challenges them to strive for even higher levels of performance. 

Olympic Competition in Giving 

In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul sets up an "Olympic Competition" between two churches – the church in Macedonia (what we would call northern Greece today. the churches in Philippi and Thessalonica) and Achaia (southern Greece, specifically Corinth).

In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul uses the Macedonians to encourage the Achaeans. In the next chapter, he will mention how he used the Achaean church to spur the Macedonian church to action.

Both churches are already generous, but "Olympic Competition" encourages them to strive harder. 

A Giving Competition

Nothing is said about amounts collected. The measure of success was not a dollar sign. Instead, the focus is on the willingness and joy of giving.
A few lessons for us:

• Generosity is a grace (8:1), a gift that the Holy Spirit creates in us. Praise God when you see generosity in action, either in yourself or in others.
• Generosity math (8:2): Extreme poverty + overflowing joy = rich generosity. Your net worth does not determine if you can be generous or not. If joy in Christ is there, the Spirit produces a generous response in proportion to what God has given us. See also 8:12.
• Generosity focus (8:2): The Greek for "rich generosity" is more literally translated "the wealth of singleness of purpose." When I can't do everything (the Macedonian poverty), I have to focus my attention. What is most important to you? Our financial decisions reveal our priorities. Are they God's priorities? 
• Generosity fellowship (8:4): "The privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people." The word translated "sharing" is often translated "fellowship." Giving is an opportunity for us to be in fellowship or partnership in ministry... on our church campus and around the world. As I think about that, I find great joy in giving because through my offerings...
  • I am present in Senegal with the missionaries that are beginning mission work to the Wolof people. 
  • I am present at Martin Luther College training the next generation of called workers for our church. 
  • I am present in every classroom in our school, teaching our children Jesus' love.
  • I am present in the child care center, quieting a child and modeling love to the youngest of God's saints. 
  • I am present in the counseling center, offering help and hope to the hurting. 
  • Giving really is a privilege... an opportunity to share in the gospel ministry of others. 
• Generosity source (8:9): We give because of the generosity of our Savior who gave himself for us.

Who is your “Olympic competition”?

Who spurs you on to generous giving? A friend mentioned that he was at a fundraiser many years ago when the generosity of someone at his table became a model for him to aspire to.

My “competitor” is a pastor who wrote that every year he increases the percent of his income that he gives away. Could I do that too?

Who has God placed before you, like the Macedonians, who challenges you to grow in generosity?

A Healthy Competition in Proverbs

As we continue to read Proverbs (today chapters 27-29), I have another competition to suggest—a memory competition. This is not a competition comparing yourself with someone else, but a competition comparing yourself with yourself. Can you know more of God's word this year than last year?

There are so many great pithy sayings in Proverbs. You can’t remember every one. My challenge is to choose one to memorize from each chapter today so that I know more proverbs this year than last. Here are mine this year. 

• The pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.
• Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.
• Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.