Articles
Giving More Than Expected – 2 Cor. 8
Giving More Than Expected – 2 Cor. 8
There was a famine in Judea and mostly it effected disciples that were Jewish. The churches of Macedonia, who were mostly Gentile believers, took up a collection to share with these needy Jewish saints survive through a great famine.
BUT these Macedonia brethren had their own problems going on. They were themselves in deep poverty and dealing with some ‘great ordeal of affliction’ and yet they BEGGED to be included in this collection! They then gave, not as expected by Paul, but beyond their ability. What would cause such love of brethren they had never met?
The text says ‘they first gave themselves to the Lord’. Such should be the situation of ALL DISCIPLES! We crucify the old man and then, according to our faith/trust in Jesus as Lord of all, we were baptized into Him. This picture of the Macedonian disciples is a great example of what discipleship looked like.
In order to give as they did, they had to have complete trust that the Lord WOULD supply THEIR need as they helped provide the needs of these Judean brethren. This is to trust that God would provide ENOUGH for them as they willing GAVE to others.
We find it a bit strange that they had ‘abundance’ while yet being ‘in deep poverty’. This requires us to take another look at OUR EXPECTATIONS of God. This requires a hard look at what we would describe as ENOUGH. Are we not a bit embarrassed whenever we compare our situation and expectations with most other disciples in the world. Look again across the globe at the famines, war, economic poverty that are commonplace among brethren.
Can we become like these Macedonian brethren? Yes, but it takes great trust in God and a definite different look at what we expect ‘enough’ to be. Have you given yourself to the Lord?
Hugh DeLong
