As Paul continues to offer an opportunity for the church in Corinth to generously meet the needs of Christians elsewhere in the region, he spells out what he (Paul) feels that they should do.
And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
2 Corinthians 8:10-12 NIV
Again, Paul recognizes that the church in Corinth has already given. Whether more is needed (and the Corinthian church has the means to close the gap), or some of the Corinthians had “left their wallet at home that day” but promised to give later, or something else, there is now another opportunity for them to share.
Sometimes, I think that we can fall into a “fatigue trap”. Giving may be exciting and interesting at first. This could include giving money or goods to a ministry, giving of our time in a ministry, or even giving help to an individual outside of the church. However, many ministries, needs, and people don’t just need help one time and then they’re good; instead, giving must continue. The food runs out. The rent must still be paid. The sorrow is still there. As a result, we often need to finish what we started.
For instance, when there is a loss in a family, or someone finds out that they have a health condition, there is usually plenty of compassion and an outpouring of support up front. What happens to those affected by these hardships when they are still grieving or hurting 3 months later, or a year later, or 5 years later? While many people continue to support loved ones for months or years, there are other times when we should think about those who were impacted by tragedy in the past, and take the time to reach out to them again.
I also appreciate Paul’s comments that he’s not asking for what the Corinthians don’t have. When a call goes out for help (whether a formal request from the church, or just hearing about someone who needs support), not everyone who hears it can necessarily address the specific need.
Here’s a silly example: the church needs people who can help with Kids Ministry. I am not cut out for that. I have done so on occasion, and it’s a real challenge for me. I guess that I could pay for someone to help with the kids, and I do help first-time families find their rooms, but when the call goes out for helping with the kids in their classrooms, I don’t think that I should feel guilty for not raising my hand. (Of course, with God’s help, I could theoretically still do this work, but He doesn’t currently seem to be calling me to do so!)
Just like I should listen to God’s calling, though, (over my own preferences, when we think that we are being asked for something that we don’t have, we should be careful that we are listening to God’s calling, and not our own human selfish desires to hang onto things for ourselves.
Per 2 Corinthians 8:13-15, Paul isn’t asking the Corinthians to give up basic food, shelter, and clothing so that the church in Jerusalem can get big-screen TV’s, fancy cars, and mansions. There’s a real need in Jerusalem, and the Corinthians have been blessed with “plenty” [NIV] or “abundance” [NASB].
The Macedonians begged for the opportunity to give out of their poverty, but that’s not the “ask” for the Corinthians. They have extra, and those in Jerusalem have a shortage, so God has provided for everything that the church (as a whole) needs. The church in Jerusalem can have enough if the Corinthians will voluntarily share their surplus (complemented by the gifts already given by others).
It is a gift to be able to be generous. It is a gift that God provides us enough that we can share. It is a gift that we get to be part of His plan. It is a gift that we can show His love to others. Let’s not leave that gift “unwrapped” or sitting on a shelf, but rather make use of the gift of generosity whenever God calls us to do so.
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 