“For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”
My Notes
What Does 2 Corinthians 8:12 Mean?
Paul establishes a principle of generous giving: if the willingness is present, the gift is accepted based on what you have, not what you do not have. The measure is not the amount. It is the willingness.
"If there be first a willing mind" — the willingness comes first. Before the amount is calculated, before the gift is given, the heart posture is evaluated. God looks at the willingness before the wallet.
"It is accepted according to that a man hath" — the standard of acceptance is proportional. You are not measured against someone else's resources. You are measured against your own. The widow's mite is accepted because it matched what she had.
"And not according to that he hath not" — you are not judged for what you cannot give. The absence of resources does not disqualify the gift. God does not expect what you do not have. He accepts what you do.
The principle liberates both the wealthy and the poor: give willingly from what you have. That is sufficient.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does the 'willing mind' being first change the pressure around giving?
- 2.What does 'according to what a man hath' mean for comparing your giving to others?
- 3.How does being measured by what you have — not what you lack — liberate your generosity?
- 4.Where has the fear of not having enough prevented you from giving what you do have?
Devotional
If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted. The willingness is the first thing God evaluates. Not the amount. Not the impressiveness. The willingness. If the heart is willing, the gift is accepted.
According to that a man hath. The standard is personal. What do you have? Not what does someone else have. Not what would be impressive. What is in your hand? That is the measure.
And not according to that he hath not. You are not condemned for what you cannot give. God does not demand what you do not possess. The absence of resources does not disqualify the offering. He asks for what you have, not what you wish you had.
This liberates everyone. The wealthy give according to their abundance — and are evaluated by their willingness, not their zeros. The poor give from their scarcity — and are accepted because the willingness matches the giving.
The widow's mite was more than the Pharisee's fortune — because the willingness was deeper and the gift was proportional. The principle is the same: willing heart, proportional gift, divine acceptance.
What do you have? Not what do you wish you had. What is actually in your hand? Offer it — willingly, proportionally, honestly. And it will be accepted. The willing mind makes the small gift sufficient and the large gift meaningful.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
For if there be first a willing mind,.... If what is done springs from a truly noble, generous spirit, a spirit of…
For if there be first a willing mind - If there is a “readiness” (προθυμία prothumia), a disposition to give; if the…
According to that a man hath - According to his real property; not taking that which belongs to his own family, and is…
In these verses the apostle uses several cogent arguments to stir up the Corinthians to this good work of charity.
I. He…
For if there be first a willing mind Literally, For if willingness (or readiness) is present. See Heb 6:18. The word…
Cross References
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