Does it do any good for an unbeliever to give to the things of God?
No. Giving by an unbeliever to the things of God does a person no good, not even a nickel's worth. God does not need it, does not want it, and can get along just fine without it. True giving begins with giving oneself first to the Lord.
Les explains that this is where giving has to begin. The believers in Greece first gave their own selves to the Lord, and only then did they give of their offerings. As poor as they were, they begged Paul with much entreaty for the opportunity to give to the saints in Jerusalem, rather than being promoted or arm-twisted into it. Les points out how opposite that is from today, when people have to be pressured and telethons are held to get them to give. An unbeliever's gift to the things of God accomplishes nothing, because God doesn't need it, doesn't want it, and can get along just fine without it.
And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.