“少种的少收，多种的多收”（林后9:6）。{FH.85.1}
慷慨是圣灵的指示之一，什么时候自称是上帝子民的人扣留了主的十分之一和捐款，他们就会蒙受属灵的损失。……{FH.85.2}
勉强奉献还不如不奉献。我们的奉献若不是出于甘心，就是欺骗上帝。务要记住，我们是在与我们一切福气的源头相交。祂知道我们的一切心思意念。{FH.85.3}
使徒保罗有一项特别的工作要在哥林多的弟兄们面前提出来。当时耶路撒冷遭遇了一场饥荒，“于是门徒定意照各人的力量捐钱，送去供给住在犹太的弟兄”（徒11:29）。他们把这需要告诉了各教会，期望能收到一小笔钱救济贫困的圣徒，并在祷告中向主陈明了他们的需要。
但马其顿的信徒受上帝之灵感动，先把自己完全献给上帝，然后奉献了他们一切所有的。他们感到这样表示自己对上帝的信靠乃是一个特权。马其顿的信徒虽然贫穷，在奉献上却无须人督促。他们因有机会奉献自己的钱财而欢喜快乐。他们本着基督化的简朴，正直和爱弟兄的心，自愿奉献，没有钱的时候就节衣缩食。使徒劝他们不要这样刻苦，他们却要求使徒接受他们的捐款，带给受苦的圣徒。{FH.85.4}
这种舍己和自我牺牲远远超过保罗的预期；他充满了感恩之情，为他们的榜样所鼓舞，写信告诫提多要激励哥林多教会做同样的善工。……{FH.85.5}
“因此我劝提多，既然在你们中间开办这慈惠的事，就当办成了。你们既然在信心、口才、知识、热心，和待我们的爱心上，都格外显出满足来，就当在这慈惠的事上也格外显出满足来”（林后8:6,7）。{FH.85.6}
马其顿信徒的这个行动是受上帝默示的，为要在哥林多教会激起慷慨的精神。——《评论与通讯》，1900年5月15日。{FH.85.7}
The Example of Liberality, March 14
He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.?2 Corinthians 9:6.?{FH 85.1}[1]
Liberality is one of the directions of the Holy Spirit, and when the professed people of God withhold from the Lord His own in gifts and offerings, they meet with spiritual loss....?{FH 85.2}[2]
It were better not to give at all than to give grudgingly, for if we impart of our means when we have not the spirit to give freely, we mock God. Let us bear in mind that we are dealing with One upon whom we depend for every blessing, One who reads every thought of the heart, every purpose of the mind.?{FH 85.3}[3]
The apostle Paul had a special work to present before his Corinthian brethren. There was a famine in Jerusalem, and the disciples, “every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea.” They presented the need to the churches, expecting to receive a small sum for the relief of the needy saints; and in prayer they presented before the Lord the necessity.?{FH 85.4}[4]
But the Macedonian believers, moved by the Spirit of God, first made an entire consecration of themselves to God, and then gave all that they had. They felt it a privilege thus to give expression to their trust in God. The Macedonian believers were poor, but they did not have to be urged to give. They rejoiced that they had opportunity to contribute of their means. Of themselves they came forward and made the offering, in their Christlike simplicity, their integrity and love for their brethren, denying themselves of food and clothing in cases where they had no money. And when the apostles would have restrained them, they pleaded with them to receive the contribution and carry it to the afflicted saints.?{FH 85.5}[5]
This self-denial and self-sacrifice far exceeded Paul’s expectations, and he was filled with thanksgiving; and taking courage by this example, by epistle he exhorted Titus to stir up the church in Corinth to the same good works....?{FH 85.6}[6]
“We desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.”?{FH 85.7}[7] This movement on the part of the Macedonians was inspired of God to arouse in the Corinthian church the spirit of liberality.—The Review and Herald, May 15, 1900.?{FH 85.8}[8]
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