Greetings Dear Reader,
When it comes to generosities, who are the first people that come to mind? Does the church come to mind? Is the church the first thing you think of when you think of generosity? In other words, are we generous people as the Church of Christ?
Today’s New Testament Reading (2 Corinthians 8:1-15) shows Paul's encouragement for us to examine ourselves in this critical area of generosity in our Christian walk. Let’s review it together:
2 Corinthians 8:1-15 (New International Version)
"And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."
Before looking for any application of these verses let’s get some context. Why was the Apostle Paul gathering a collection for the Jerusalem Christians?
The Situation
Well, Jerusalem was and still is the Jewish capitol as well as the birthplace of the Christian church on Pentecost. Let’s recall that in the Apostle Paul’s day, many Christians in Jerusalem struggled. The decision to follow Jesus instead of the Jewish leaders brought crosses that these believers had to bear. The help and aid that would have been provided to widows and the poor from the Jewish authorities was cut off for followers of Jesus. Paul knew that any aid for these people would have to come from Christ’s church itself.
In answer to this situation, Paul was gathering a collection for them among the Gentile churches in Galatia, and in northern Greece, called Macedonia, and in southern Greece, where Corinth was (to whom he was writing). In response to the Gospel that had gone out from Jerusalem making these Gentiles spiritual rich in Christ, so now these Gentile Christians shared their material wealth to help their fellow saints in Jerusalem.
The Corinthian Christians had started eagerly contribute previously, but problems prevented them from sustaining this desire in a meaningful way. There were divisions that tore the congregation. It was reported that Christians took each other to court, open sin was boasted about, the Lord’s Supper degenerated into a selfish feast, and many more problems. Paul addressed these problems in his first letter to the Corinthians. They took his words to heart, however the offering for their fellow saints in Jerusalem had fallen off. Paul now had to address this urgent need.
In 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 Paul urges them to turn their attention again to this offering. He reminds them about God’s grace -- God’s grace at work among the Macedonia Christians that overflowed in their giving, God’s grace in Christ that enriched the Corinthian Christians. God’s grace. Understand that Christian giving overflows from God’s grace.
Our Application of Today's Reading
That’s the message to keep in mind in today’s reading. Christian giving, our giving overflows from God’s grace to us. Therefore, before any money leaves your wallet or purse, give yourself to your gracious Lord. Trust his grace with an undivided heart. Then our giving as well will overflow from God’s grace. In fact, later in this letter, Paul instructs where our heart should be in relation to our giving:
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (New International Version)
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
May God Bless the reading and application of His Word according to his Will in our lives.
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