I can testify that by their own free will they have given to the utmost of their ability, yes, even beyond their ability. They begged us earnestly for the privilege of participating in this ministry to the believers - 2 Co 8:3-4.
A stingy person will always have an excuse not to give or, if forced to do so, to give as little as possible. Generosity is more a function of the heart than of the level of wealth. It does not depend on how much one possesses and can actually give away. A heart that's been touched by the grace of God will likely well up to generosity regardless of the level of wealth or even the lack of it.
When Apostle Paul wrote about the generosity of the Macedonians, he said this: "In spite of their terrible ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and deep poverty has led them to be abundantly generous" (2Co 8:2 ISV). So yes, it's possible to be extremely generous even if one has very little to give. The grace of generosity can become a desire so strong that he who is generous will even beg to participate in an act of giving (2 Cor 8:4).
Among those who are into charitable causes, one phenomenon is being observed: those who are generous in giving can experience what they call a generosity burnout. When these donors do, they eventually stop giving. Jesus said that the poor will always be with us (Mat 26:11). Could it be that the presence of the poor is something that God does not want to go away quickly so that we may all learn to desire and exercise this grace? Many of us lament the plight of the needy and we do whatever we can to ease their suffering. Still, there's not enough generosity to go around and that means many people, especially those who can do much because of their wealth, are still holding to it tightly and has not received the grace to give. The burden then goes to the few who are able. But this grace is in abundance if only people know how to receive it.
There's a way to be as generous as the Macedonians and avoid experiencing generosity burnout.
The Macedonians were extremely generous in spite of their own need because they were able to give themselves to the Lord first (2 Cor 8:5). Giving oneself to God opens the soul to many graces, not just generosity - faith increases, knowledge expands, enthusiasm and love overflows. With these richness of grace, simple work of kindness eventually becomes so easy, almost becoming second nature.
Generosity cannot grow without practice. It's likely that even the most stingy has somehow an urge to give. All generosity starts from that small urge, weak and unsteady at first but soon expanding and surging because of use. That desire to ease somebody else's need a little bit should find its way to action, must be completed by action. And here is God's principle of recognition of generosity: "if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you do not have" (2 Cor 8:12). Generosity then is a grace suited for all, both for the rich and the poor. A heart given to God is what enables its liberal expression.
