In The Word
Read: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Great Generosity
8 Now, brothers and sisters, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave voluntarily, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.
7 But just as you excel in everything, in faith, speaking, knowledge, and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you also excel in this gracious work. 8 I am not saying this as a command, but as proving, through the earnestness of others, the sincerity of your love as well. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 10 I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11 But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the willingness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. 12 For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For this is not for the relief of others and for your hardship, but by way of equality— 14 at this present time your abundance will serve as assistance for their need, so that their abundance also may serve as assistance for your need, so that there may be equality; 15 as it is written: “The one who had gathered much did not have too much, and the one who had gathered little did not have too little.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
The impoverished saints in Jerusalem continued to be on the mind of Paul. He wanted to take the collection he received from the Macedonians and combine it with the funds given by the Corinthians, but for some reason this collection from the Corinthians had not taken on the same urgency it had in Macedonia. In 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, Paul commends the Macedonians for their giving, giving even in their time of poverty. You see Corinth was a much wealthier community than Macedonia, and Paul wanted the Corinthians to participate in this great opportunity to show loving-kindness to others.
Today we have the same opportunities to help impoverished Christians around the world. I know it’s hard to believe but most of us believers here in the United States are in the top 5% of wealthiest individuals in the world. Paul wanted the Corinthians, as us today, to understand a few things about giving. One, though not rich, the Macedonians received much joy in being able to assist in giving. Second, we should be as Christ, who had everything and gave it all for us (2 Corinthians 8:9). Third, Paul was not commanding that they give, but encouraged them to let this be an example of the love they had for others (2 Corinthians 8:8). And last, he encouraged them by asking them to finish this project, because it had been over a year; he wanted to complete what they started (2 Corinthians 8:10-11). Sometimes God puts on our heart a project, something that really excites us to be a part of, but over time we lose that excitement. If that’s you, don’t be like the Corinthians; purpose it in your heart to accomplish it! It will bring you joy!