Starting off a mini-series of articles from 2 Corinthians 8, let’s begin with a quick review of first-century geography: Achaia, which was the province where Corinth was located, took up the southern section of the part of Greece that sticks out into the northern Mediterranean Sea. North of that, including much of the main peninsula of Greece (and connecting to the mainland of Europe), was the ancient region of Macedonia. (The geography hasn’t changed much since then, but modern country borders are a little different.)
While those in the first century didn’t have cars or buses, these are two regions whose people were familiar with each other.
As you probably know, the letter of 2 Corinthians was written to the church in Corinth, but in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, Paul is talking to them about churches in Macedonia (“up the way” from Corinth, we might say).
The churches in Macedonia were in “the midst of a very severe trial” (NIV), or “in a great ordeal of affliction” (NASB), or “in a severe test of affliction” (NASB footnote). However, they didn’t let their own problems make them callous to the needs of others. Quite the contrary, they were generous even when things were difficult.
In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
2 Corinthians 8:2 NIV
There’s a real risk – at least in my life – of becoming consumed with my own problems when things get bad, and forgetting to look around me. Just ask my family how well I take care of them when I’m over-stressed! (Not very well, I’m afraid.)
Some well-wishers remind hurting people that someone else is always worse off (although I’m not sure what you say to whoever is at the end of the chain – worse off than everyone else, but maybe that’s the book of Job). However, it’s not a contest. We all live in a broken world, and we all need to look out for each other as we are able.
In fact, the Macedonians gave out of their “extreme poverty” [NIV] (or “deep poverty” [NASB]). They weren’t figuring out how much they could spare, or trying to figure out if they could “afford” to be generous.
For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.
2 Corinthians 8:3-4 NIV
So, in light of verse 3 here, let’s ask ourselves a question: How can we – or anyone – give beyond our ability? Isn’t our ability to give – by definition – the upper limit of how much we can give?
Like the Macedonians, the answer lies not in stretching our ability, but rather in giving ourselves to God and to His will. When God not only directs what we do with everything we have, but has also redeemed our very souls for Himself, what we do with our stuff, our money, and our lives is all for Him to decide.
- If He wills for us to hold on to money and possessions and use them for His kingdom, we do so.
- If He wills for us to sell everything that we have and minister to others, trusting Him to take care of us, we do so.
- If He wills for us to walk a line between those two cases (which is often the case), we get the best result when we follow His leading.
This isn’t something that achieve by “pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps”, though. Following God’s will requires knowing God’s will, and learning God’s will includes letting the Holy Spirit’s guidance take priority over our own preferences, comfort, and selfishness. This process also requires trusting God to take care of us, so that we don’t have to hold onto things for ourselves when called by Him to give.
Furthermore, the Macedonians were pushing for the opportunity to support others. (The collection that was being taken here was for the church in Jerusalem, by the way. Per Baker, p.287, they were experiencing a famine – see Acts 11:27-30.)
Again, we might ask a question: Why would someone beg or plead to give away what they have, when (to an outside observer) they are in just as much – or more – need than those to whom they are giving?
Hopefully, you have your own answers to this question (perhaps your own motivation for generosity), but I suspect that generous people today (like the Macedonians) realize that it is a privilege to share. They also love the recipients of their generosity, and perhaps they feel obligated to return to others for what they have been given (whether the good news about Jesus Christ, or perhaps “paying it forward” for the unmatchable generosity of Jesus Christ – see verse 9).
So, how about you and me? Is our love for others so great that our generosity is triggered with the slightest prompting from God? Do we truly believe that it is better to give than to receive, or do we just say that? Have we fully internalized the great generosity of God, and want to be like Him in that aspect, as well? If we’re not quite there yet, let’s keep studying 2 Corinthians 8-9 to learn more.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for May 26, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, May 26, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 2 Corinthians, by William R. Baker. © 1999 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 