2 Corinthians 8:11-15 says,...
Today's verses are 2 Corinthians 8:11-15, which read,
v.11, 12 - But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
Paul has told the Christians in Corinth about the abundant giving of the impoverished churches in Macedonia for the needs of the persecuted saints in Jerusalem. He reminds them that after they heard of the need that they were the first to start collecting for the need and also had such a desire to be of help to those in need. The collecting for that need must have waned when the opposition of false teachers showed up who painted Paul in a bad light.
Now that they have accepted the Word of the God and received the letter of sorrow of exposing their sin that led to repentance, Paul encourages them to finish what they started. It was a bump in the road. They stumbled and fell down. Paul is telling them to get back up for the Lord and for others.
v.13-15 - For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality--at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; as it is written, "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack."
I am getting a feeling that the Christians in Corinth had more resources than the churches in Macedonia. They had a greater ability to give to this need. The giving to this need was not just for the ease of those who would receive the help or the Christians in Corinth easing the guilt of slacking off on the collection because of sin. The giving had a bigger purpose to God's overall plan.
The Corinthians had much resources that could aid the persecuted saints in Jerusalem. At the same time, the persecuted saints in Jerusalem had the example of faith that could aid the weak faith Christians of Corinth. The giver was giving and the givee what giving back to the giver what the giver needed and therefore also became the givee. In God's system, no one is lacking as they serve the Lord.
We, out of our abundance, give to missionaries who are in need of financial resources to live and accomplish the task of sharing the gospel in their part of the world. At the same time, those missionaries, out of their abundance, are giving to us the stories and encouragement to be bold in our faith in the world that we are in. You can not put a price tag on that and it all works out when we continue to follow the Lord because He provides exactly what His children need.
We are in this together, so interconnected even around the globe with the family of God. Paul uses the quote from Exodus 16:18 to speak of those gathering manna in the desert. Some were able to gather more because of their strength and ability but those who were not did not go without because those who were able gave to them. Giving produces much more than just the immediate need and giving done God's way goes both ways.
"Lord, what am I missing out on by not giving? That is the question. If I am a child of God and so connected to this family of God I am in, what benefits have I missed by not giving what I have in response to my obedience to Your direction? May I see the need and give and recognize my need being met by You. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.11, 12 - But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
Paul has told the Christians in Corinth about the abundant giving of the impoverished churches in Macedonia for the needs of the persecuted saints in Jerusalem. He reminds them that after they heard of the need that they were the first to start collecting for the need and also had such a desire to be of help to those in need. The collecting for that need must have waned when the opposition of false teachers showed up who painted Paul in a bad light.
Now that they have accepted the Word of the God and received the letter of sorrow of exposing their sin that led to repentance, Paul encourages them to finish what they started. It was a bump in the road. They stumbled and fell down. Paul is telling them to get back up for the Lord and for others.
v.13-15 - For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality--at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; as it is written, "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack."
I am getting a feeling that the Christians in Corinth had more resources than the churches in Macedonia. They had a greater ability to give to this need. The giving to this need was not just for the ease of those who would receive the help or the Christians in Corinth easing the guilt of slacking off on the collection because of sin. The giving had a bigger purpose to God's overall plan.
The Corinthians had much resources that could aid the persecuted saints in Jerusalem. At the same time, the persecuted saints in Jerusalem had the example of faith that could aid the weak faith Christians of Corinth. The giver was giving and the givee what giving back to the giver what the giver needed and therefore also became the givee. In God's system, no one is lacking as they serve the Lord.
We, out of our abundance, give to missionaries who are in need of financial resources to live and accomplish the task of sharing the gospel in their part of the world. At the same time, those missionaries, out of their abundance, are giving to us the stories and encouragement to be bold in our faith in the world that we are in. You can not put a price tag on that and it all works out when we continue to follow the Lord because He provides exactly what His children need.
We are in this together, so interconnected even around the globe with the family of God. Paul uses the quote from Exodus 16:18 to speak of those gathering manna in the desert. Some were able to gather more because of their strength and ability but those who were not did not go without because those who were able gave to them. Giving produces much more than just the immediate need and giving done God's way goes both ways.
"Lord, what am I missing out on by not giving? That is the question. If I am a child of God and so connected to this family of God I am in, what benefits have I missed by not giving what I have in response to my obedience to Your direction? May I see the need and give and recognize my need being met by You. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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