Generosity in the Midst of Poverty

August 31, 2014 Background Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8, 9 Lesson Passage: 2 Corinthians 8:1 – 14 Extreme stewardship is how I define the actions of the Christians in Macedonia. Since the Apostle Paul referred to the “churches” of Macedonia, the group likely included the Philippians, Thessalonians, and Bereans. Paul declared that the level of giving they displayed was evidence of the grace of God upon them. In other words, some giving is so extreme that it speaks more of God than the giver. Paul would certainly have known that this was the case because of his knowledge of the Macedonian churches. It was there on his second missionary journey that the Holy Ghost used him mightily after summoning him there in a vision. Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, threatened and run out of Thessalonica, and finally run out of Berea. Although there were some of financial means such as Lydia of Philippi, Paul knew that many of the other Macedonians were poor. Paul boasted of the Macedonians’ willing attitude and determination to do their part although they could not afford it financially. They insisted that Paul receive their benevolent offering to help aid the poor Christians in Jerusalem. Even more, Paul stated that the Macedonians felt obligated to be a part of the fellow saints who were helping. Theirs is an attitude that the apostle James would have boast about had he known the fullness of their commitment. In other words, the Macedonians’ actions were a demonstration of their faith. God worked through them to liberate the minds of others in regard to stewardship. They were not materialistic but they were willing to share the material goods that they possessed. What led to such an attitude of generosity? According to Paul, before they gave what they had, they gave themselves to God first. Their relationship with God prevented them from becoming materialistic and selfish. It freed them to be liberal in their giving beyond what others would have found reasonable. So much so that Paul called their giving a gracious gift that God had given them. He described their poverty as deep. Perhaps this is what Paul had in mind in his letter to the church at Rome when he referred to giving as a spiritual gift that is graciously bestowed upon some Christians. Their giving was worth emulating so Paul instructed Titus to instruct the Corinthians in this manner of stewardship. Today, we call this level of stewardship sacrificial. To give out of one’s abundance is par for the course for Christians as well as those in the world who are not saved. To give beyond reasonable with joy and simplicity is motivated by the grace of God. Paul likened this to Jesus’ own actions in humbling himself for our sake. No one emulates Jesus without the grace of God upon them. Paul did not emphasize equal amounts but rather equal sacrifice. Paul was clear that the charity of the Corinthians would not lead to their poverty but to further blessings from God. They would be blessed according to their giving in faith and not out of compulsion. Since the Corinthians had already pledged to give and it had inspired others to follow suit, now they were being encouraged to fulfill their pledge so that the apostle’s testimony of their charity would not lead to embarrassment. If the Macedonians could give generously out of their poverty, surely the Corinthians could give out of their means. Robert C. Hudson August 19, 2014