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

An Appeal for Reconciliation

August 24, 2014 Background Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1 – 7:4 Lesson Passage: 2 Corinthians 6:1 – 13; 7:1 – 4 In words and deeds Christians are called upon to be holy as God is holy. We are often challenged in various relationships to maintain our character because we have been called to walk in a newness of life. God’s grace has been abundantly shed in our hearts and it should show in our daily living. In fact, the grace of God in our lives should be beneficial to others. But this must take place within a pure exchange. The purity has to be on the part of those who have received God’s grace. Grace came to us pure from the absolute holiness of God into whatever situation we found ourselves in. Likewise, grace should extend out of purity in us into whatever situation others find themselves in. This is only possible through the power of God working to maintain purity of character in us. We should be careful that nothing in us offends others. We received the supernatural power of God in our lives and if it is allowed to flow through us, it will be supernatural when it arrives in the lives of others. We partner with Jesus to be all that God would have us to be. This partnership necessitates purity of heart, mind and character in us. Righteousness will not partner with unrighteousness. Light will not partner with darkness. Jesus will not partner with demonic spirits or workers of iniquity. Christian workers must take care to avoid fellowship with those who are not saved and don’t desire to be. This is not to suggest that there will be no contact between the saved and the unsaved. We know that we live in this world but we are not to be worldly. Contact and fellowship are two different things. How do we stay true to who we are? We trust God to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. We must have a sincere desire within us to honor God in all things. We know we cannot honor God and live unclean lives. There are some places and some people who must be off-limits to us now that we are in Christ. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost who lives in us and we are admonished to keep our temples fit for his presence. It is our new walk in Christ that causes us to desire to be at peace with all men—especially the household of faith. We strive hard to be reconciled with other believers. When there is disconnect, we should make sure that it is not on our end. We must always be quick to forgive and to seek forgiveness. Charity demands that we give into the needs of others. We should work hard to maintain the unity of fellowship within the body of Christ. The Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians about the need for spiritual separation while at the same time he pleaded with them to be as open and loving towards him as he was towards them. He claimed that he had no faults in regards to them. Who among them could claim that he had wronged them? Paul declared that his love for them was sincere. Paul did this while encouraging them to abandon their worldly alliances. Paul made an appeal for reconciliation. Robert C. Hudson August 14, 2014