“Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality.14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. 15 As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.” -2 Cor 8:13-15 (NLT)
Critics often cite the scriptures to support communism and financial equality. They say things like “didn’t the church sell all their stuff and gave the earnings to the poor and needy?” referring to the unique move of the Spirit at the birth of the church. However while there was sharing and giving of their livelihood this was by no means communism or socialism– this was Christian commonism. Communism says “what’s yours is mine” commonism says “what’s mine is yours”, one demands and takes, the other sees the need and chooses to give freely. These are two different things.
The same church that was freely giving shortly after Pentecost was now suffering financially, and this gave an opportunity for the more prosperous (at the time) gentile believers in Corinth to bless them from their excess. But they were to understand that their giving wasn’t to make others rich while they suffered by any means. But their abundance was to bring some much needed relief to those that had nothing or very little. Paul’s reasoning was that if you bless them in your abundance now when you lack they will return the favor as well – this is biblical equality–commonality.
Lastly Paul encouraged them by a principle found in the story of the Manna from heaven; When the Israelites tried to gather more than they needed it turned to worms (maggots) but when they only kept what they needed they had enough. In this way they didn’t store up maggots in their home and they lived trusting in God for their daily bread. So too don’t allow your excess money go to waste on things that have no eternal value but use it instead to bless others who will in turn bless you back.
The same church that was freely giving shortly after Pentecost was now suffering financially, and this gave an opportunity for the more prosperous (at the time) gentile believers in Corinth to bless them from their excess. But they were to understand that their giving wasn’t to make others rich while they suffered by any means. But their abundance was to bring some much needed relief to those that had nothing or very little. Paul’s reasoning was that if you bless them in your abundance now when you lack they will return the favor as well – this is biblical equality–commonality.
Lastly Paul encouraged them by a principle found in the story of the Manna from heaven; When the Israelites tried to gather more than they needed it turned to worms (maggots) but when they only kept what they needed they had enough. In this way they didn’t store up maggots in their home and they lived trusting in God for their daily bread. So too don’t allow your excess money go to waste on things that have no eternal value but use it instead to bless others who will in turn bless you back.
- ARE THERE ANY NEEDS YOU CAN MEET AT YOUR CHURCH? IS THERE SOMEONE YOU CAN BLESS FROM YOUR EXCESS THIS WEEK?
- “Generosity is measured by the need before us, and our ability to meet that need” -?