Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Stewardship of the Resource
Jeny Thomas
Chicago MTC, Illinois
“The one who gathered much did not have too
much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.” (vs. 15a)
In
today’s passage, we see an interesting background. The Church at Corinth made a
promise to provide money for the distressed believers in Jerusalem. Although
the Church started it, they did not follow through with their promise. This is
common even among our Christian community today. It is a lot easier to make big
promises than to fulfill it on time. Hence, Paul, as an apostle and leader,
instead of beating the Corinthian church up, he inspired them. So how did Paul
inspire the church? Paul inspired the church by addressing two important
questions.
1.
Paul tells them WHY they should do it?
Paul
begins chapter 8, by sharing details about how the Macedonian Churches
generously gave despite their circumstances and according to their ability
(vs.1-4). He tells them that their motivation for giving was love. Having
detailed this, Paul encourages the Corinthians to act in like manner and hence
reinforces them to excel in the grace of giving (vs.5-7). However, Paul goes on
to remind them that he is not commanding them to be generous (vs.8). He is
encouraging them toward "this grace" by comparing their self-giving
with the self-giving of the Macedonian Christians.
Furthermore,
Paul provides them with the supreme example of Christian self-giving who is
none other than our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (vs.9). Christ willingly
became poor that we might become rich. He set aside His divine
privilege to join the broken humanity. Hence, for us to follow Christ's
self-giving we need to rest on the grace of God. Such kind of generosity is
something given as a gracious gift from God.
2.
Paul tells them HOW they should do it?
Paul
acknowledged the Corinthians for their eager willingness and generosity in the
past. He recognized that they were not only the first to give but also the
first to have the desire to do so (vs.10). Hence, Paul advices them to take up
what they adopted in the previous year, and to finish the work that they had so
well begun (vs. 11). He reminds them that giving must always come from a
willing heart, it cannot be forced. So, Paul doesn’t simply want them to give,
but “to desire to” give (vs.12).
Paul’s letter
is not only to the Corinthians, but it is also for us. We are also reminded to
give generously from what we have. Christian self-giving is to help us up build
our fellowship to perfect the kingdom of God and to reach out to the lost,
thereby extending the kingdom of God. Like, how Paul reminds us, this way there
will be equality (vs.14). “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and
the one who gathered little did not have too little” (vs. 15a).
PRAYER
Dear Lord, we thank
You for all the blessing You have bestowed upon us. Help us to follow Your
example and remember those in need. We thank You for the Grace that You have
given us that we may all give with gladness and sincerity. In Jesus name we
pray. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“It's not how much we
give but how much love we put into giving.” - Mother Teresa