"...your ENTHUSIASM has stirred most of them into ACTION" 2 Corin. 8:2

"Show enthusiasm in ALL that you do" -Dove Promises

Enthusiasm:
-a belief in spiritual revelations of the Holy Spirit
-a STRONG EXCITEMENT of feeling

"Enthusiasm is taken from two root words: 'en' and 'theos', meaning 'GOD WITHIN'. If we have God living on the inside of us, we ought to be ENTHUSIASTIC! -John Maxwell
(see www.crossfitfaith.com)

I just couldn't leave out the context of my point here. Below you will read verses from chapters 8 and 9 of 2 Corinthians. Paul offers examples of generous giving from the Corinthians because He gave ALL to us. The response seen because of their ENTHUSIASM to give stirred up the Macedonians to do the same. I have included verses that stuck out most to me, followed by a "personal explanation" of what the Lord taught me while reading His Word.

"Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing JOY and their extreme POVERTY welled up in RICH GENEROSITY. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond there own ability...And they did not do as we expected, but they gave THEMSELVES first TO THE LORD and then to us in keeping with GOD'S WILL...But just as you EXCEL in EVERYTHING- in FAITH, in SPEECH, in KNOWLEDGE, in complete EARNESTNESS, and in your LOVE for us- see that you also EXCEL in this grace of GIVING. I am not commanding you, but I want to TEST THE SINCERITY of your LOVE by COMPARING it with the EARNESTNESS of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was RICH, yet for YOUR SAKES HE BECAME POOR, so that you through HIS POVERTY MIGHT BECOME RICH."
2 Corinthians 8: 2-3, 5, 7-9

Personal Explanation:
In in our 'greatest trials', we should give generously, out of the JOY we have in Christ! First, we give ourselves-because of our commitment to Christ, we offer ourselves to others, regardless of what we may or may NOT receive in return. How generous was the Lord? He was so generous that He gave ALL HE HAD for OUR SAKES! Through HIS POVERTY, we might become ETERNALLY RICH in Him. Here on earth, we are urged to give a little money or offering, clothing, food, etc. HE GAVE HIMSELF. He was rich, but HE BECAME POOR. And it was all for our sakes, that we through HIS POVERTY MIGHT BECOME RICH.
*IT SHOULD BE OUR GREATEST JOY TO GIVE ALL THAT WE ARE AND HAVE TO HIM!!!!!!

"Now finish the work, so that your EAGER WILLINGNESS to do it may be matched by your COMPLETION of it, according to YOUR MEANS. For if the WILLINGNESS is there, the GIFT is ACCEPTABLE according to what one HAS, not according to what he DOES NOT HAVE. Our desire is NOT that you may be HARD PRESSED, but that there might be EQUALITY. At the present time your PLENTY WILL SUPPLY what they need, so that in turn their plenty WILL SUPPLY what you need. Then there will be EQUALITY, as it is written: 'He who GATHERED MUCH did not have TOO MUCH, and he who GATHERED LITTLE did not have TOO LITTLE.'"
2 Corinthians 8: 11-15

Personal Explanation:
Paul is speaking to the Corinthians, who has initially thought of donating to the poor before the Macedonians actually did. Paul is telling the Corinthians to be consistent and to finish what they originally began to give for this would prove their sincerity. Disregard what delayed them and complete their donation according to their ability which they had. It doesn't matter HOW MUCH you offer. God accepts our gifts, however small they may be, out of our desires of the heart! Whenever a need exists, equality of Christians and desires of the heart should offer an outflow of giving to meet that need for others.
*GOD INTENDS EACH MAN TO HAVE A SHARE OF THE GOOD THINGS OF LIFE, SOME MORE AND SOME LESS. THOSE WHO HAVE MORE SHOULD SHARE WITH THOSE WHO HAVE LESS, NOT SO THE RICH WILL SELFISHLY ENJOY IT, BUT SO THE POOR WILL ALSO SHARE IN IT!

"For Titus not only WELCOMED our appeal, but he is coming to you with MUCH ENTHUSIASM and on his OWN INITIATIVE...For we are taking pains to do what is RIGHT, not only in the eyes of the LORD but also in the eyes of MEN...and your ENTHUSIASM has stirred most of them INTO ACTION"
2 Corinthians 8: 17, 21; 9: 2

Personal Explanation:
Titus went willingly to Corinth to tell of the donation that the Corinthians made. He wanted to serve, and he wanted to do it all for the glory of God! Paul wanted Titus to be honest in his desire to give not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men. Because of the willingness of the Corinthians, the Macedonians were in turn 'stirred up' to give.
*CHRISTIANS SHOULD GIVE GENEROUSLY, EAGERLY, WILLINGLY, AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE DESIRE TO GIVE BECAUSE CHRIST GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR US!

I challenge you to reflect on what you have 'given' up for others out of a pure heart in Christ's love. Whether it be money, your time, a kind word, "things", or simply a little enthusiasm... did you give WILLINGLY and WHOLEHEARTEDLY? SelfLESSly? GENEROUSLY?
Pray for a heart that is so fully satisfied with God that you are able to give eagerly, willingly, and ENTHUSIASTICALLY.