2 Corinthians 8:1-9
“We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia, for during a severe ordeal of affliction their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means and even beyond their means, egging us earnestly for the favor of partnering in this ministry to the saints, and not as we expected. Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us, so that we might urge Titus that, as he had already made a beginning, so he should also complete this generous undertaking among you. Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.
I do not say this as a command, but I am, by mentioning the eagerness of others, testing the genuineness of your love. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.”
The first church I served became responsible for the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Drive. That’s right, we were the bellringers.
We were surprised that the new upscale mall was not our best location.
What was?
Walmart.
“Salvation Army helped me when I needed it most,” was often said as a person stuffed bills into the kettle.
Sometimes those who have the least to give, give the most. Proportionally.
Jewish Christians in the first church in Jerusalem were at great risk from a famine. Greek Christians in Europe, new to the family of God had pledged to meet this crisis with their own giving.
The church in Corinth had made a pledge at the beginning, but their enthusiasm had waned. The Apostle Paul is writing to challenge them to be generous.
Who are his models of great generosity?
The churches in Macedonia (northern Greece) which are in great distress from persecution and their own poverty.
The Roman conquest and occupation had destroyed the prosperity of Macedonia. Plus, their trade route had long moved south to Corinth.
The three most prominent churches were in Phillippi, Thessalonica, and Berea (Acts 16, 17:1-15). Their poverty was so extreme that it may have been the case that Paul had no plans to ask them for money. But he said that they “urgently pleaded” with him to let them give. They gave above their means and their ability.
What made them so generous?
They had given themselves first to the Lord, which enabled them to give themselves to Paul and the Jewish Christians.
But Paul is not finished. As in every area of life, the ultimate example is Jesus.
Though he was rich, for your sakes he became poor, that you might through him become rich. (v. 9)
We get a hint of how “rich” Jesus was when he prays, “Father, glorify me with the glory I had with you before the world was made.” John 17:5
We get a description of the process in Philippians 2:6-7: “Who being in very nature God … made himself nothing, taking on the nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
If you are like me this kind of passage can make you feel guilty for having too much.
And certainly, we do.
But the real issue may be that we do not have enough.
Enough of what?
What the Macedonians had.
The riches of Christ.
Father, thank you for Jesus who made himself poor so that we could be rich in what matters most, your love, your joy and your peace. All that I am and all that I have is yours. Give me the grace to excel in giving like the Macedonians, like Jesus. Amen.