It is a myth to say that giving results in a lack of resources. Many who are reading this can attest to that very fact today. The fact is often that our lack of giving is what results in our lack of resources. God will never allow us to be the loser when we are faithful to His Word and obedient to His will. There are many modem money myths from Corinth that need to be expelled.

Myth No. 4: Just do what you can.

"...and beyond their ability, they were freely willing" (2 Cor. 8:3).

No, you can do more than you ever imagined you were able to do. Listen to the message of the Macedonians. "For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing" (2 Cor. 8:3).

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Some people give today in a strange way. They sit down. Add up all their bills. Pay them all. Set aside money for inci­dentals. Put aside money for their monthly recreation activities. Then at the end of the month if anything is left over, they give it to the Lord Jesus and His church. They are the ones who say, "Here is what I am able to do" Thus, this type of indi­vidual never tithes and never benefits from God's plan of economy. He buys into myth No. 4 from Corinth that you should just do what you can do.

Long years ago, my wife, Susie, and I learned the truth of this myth. We have learned through the years that we could not only do what we were able to do but along with the Mace­donians "beyond our own ability."

It is a myth to say that you should just do what you can do. When you say that, you leave God out of the equation of life. I don't necessarily know exactly how it works, but those of us who practice it know it's true. It is a miraculous thing to be able to "give from God's hand." David said, "Everything comes from You and we only give You what comes from Your hand!" (1 Chr. 29:14‑16). A lot of people today are like the Corinthians who justify their lack of giving with modem money myths. But they are only that—myths. It is a myth to say only people with money should give. It is a myth to say it is unpleasant to give. It is a myth to say giving results in lack of resources. It is a myth to say, "Just do what you can do."

Myth No. 5: You have to give; giving must be coerced.

"...they were freely willing..." (2 Cor. 8:3‑4).

Some say you can't get people to give without putting pressure upon them. Some use gimmicks. Others use guilt. Some try to make us feel like we have to give, while others try to make us feel like we ought to give. But that is a myth. Stewardship is voluntary. Stewardship is a privilege. Listen to the message from Macedonia: "I bear witness that according to their ability. yes. and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints" (2 Cor. 8:3‑4). These Macedonians saw it as a privi­lege to give. They were "freely willing" to give. Wow! They begged for someone to take their offerings. They got more excited about the offering than they did any other part of their worship. The grace of giving will open our hearts, but it will also open our hands.