2 Corinthians 8 and 9 is the most challenging passage on the matter of Christian giving in all of the Bible. It's another reading in the growing list of sections to return to and slowly mull over at a later time.
Our natural
resistance and reluctance to give to the Lord and His work is nothing new. It has been often said that the last place to
get converted to Christ is our wallets and purses. So it was with the Corinthians. Despite the high opinion they held of
themselves regarding their spirituality and maturity, they were appallingly bad
givers. They promised much, but in the end, gave little. So, with deep love, Paul ruthlessly exposes and
bursts their sense of pride by reminding them of their obligation and
commitment to give to their poor Christian brothers and sisters in Jerusalem -
as they had previously promised.
His strategy is not
to 'name and shame', but it's not far away from that. Despite their own
'extreme poverty', the churches in neighbouring Macedonia had already shown
'rich generosity' (8:1-2). Humanly, they
couldn’t afford to give; but they gave from the heart, because love does not
weigh up the cost but responds in love when need is seen. This is nothing but the 'grace of God' at
work within them. In the midst of 'the
most severe trial' they gave with 'overflowing joy'. They counted it a
privilege to give, not a burden (v4).
They gave according to two standards: first, 'as much as they were able', and secondly, 'beyond their ability'
(v3). Their giving therefore had moved
into the realm of daring faith and extravagant love. This earnestness in giving
(v8) was a measure of the sincerity of their love. They gave sacrificially to others because
they had 'given themselves first to the Lord' (v5), who had already given
Himself wholly and fully up for them (v8). The Macedonian Christians' grasp of
the Gospel had transformed them into generous givers. Would the Christians in Corinth also raise
their game of Gospel giving?
Concluding chapter 8
and into chapter 9, Paul is relentless in breaking down the natural barriers
the Corinthians have erected to giving generously as God intends for His
people. It's not that God is short of cash!
It is - that our attitude to money reveals the depth and quality of our
love for the Lord, and that's the
important thing; that's what Paul wants
to cultivate. The generosity of our hearts towards others, not giving
reluctantly, sparingly or dutifully but cheerfully, flows from a heart
transformed - shaped and filled - by the love of Christ for us demonstrated at
Calvary (9:6-7). Christians, of all people, should be ready and eager to give
with loving kindness and with extraordinarily, open-handed generosity because
of their experience of the undeserved and limitless love of God. And that
giving should also reflect our living faith in God whose grace meets our every
need, even as we become instruments in His hands to lovingly meet the needs of
others (v8-11), all of which results in 'thanksgiving to God'.
Reading of the
lavish, grace-motivated liberality of the Macedonians, will the Corinthians be
equally transformed in their giving? It seems from Paul's later epistles that
they were (see Romans 15:26-27).
However, the question remains: will we?
Into Chapter 10 and
the tone of the letter changes again as the Apostle Paul becomes 'defensive'
about his reputation and authority among the new, false teachers. But his defence is not because of personal
insecurities for he appeals with the meekness and gentleness of Christ
(v1); his motivation is his deep concern
and compassion for the spiritual well-being of the Corinthian believers. He
does not want them to be captured by any false gospel but by Christ Himself
(v4-5), and with Gospel truth demolish all the strongholds that resist Christ's
rightful rule. True spiritual warfare - and often the battleground is in the
Church fellowship as it gathers in worship before the Lord - is to enter enemy
territory and, by the unconquerable power of the Word and Spirit, confront
every obstacle in our hearts, minds and lives that prevents total allegiance to
Christ. This is no 'pie-in-the-sky' wish
list, for such commitment to Jesus is already on display in Paul's own life. He
is not troubled by the false accusations made against him (v1b) nor will he
hide behind false assessments of his abilities and achievements (v12-13,17).
Because God knows him as he really is, and accepts him as such, he can boast
fully in the work of the Lord, and, unlike others does not need to exaggerate
beyond what has been accomplished (v18). God knows us better than we know ourselves, and in His mercy and grace, He still loves us and welcomes us!
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