Generosity
As Paul traveled through Gentile lands preaching the gospel and strengthening the ecclesias, he began collecting resources to help the brethren in Jerusalem.
Read Time: 3 minutes
They were suffering as the result of famine, and so Paul encouraged the Gentile believers to help them. To the Romans, he said,
It was a practical effort on Paul’s part to bring the Gentile and Jewish aspects of the community together.
However, something had gone wrong at Corinth. In our reading in 2 Corinthians 8, we’re told they had started collecting for the Jerusalem brethren, but it had stalled,
It was a practical effort on Paul’s part to bring the Gentile and Jewish aspects of the community together.
In the context, Paul encourages them to focus on the grace or generosity of God towards them so that they might show the same spirit of generosity and complete their initial enthusiasm to help. He also uses the example of the ecclesias in Macedonia,
More importantly, he uses the example of the Lord Jesus Christ,
Jesus gave up his life for us. He was willing to die, in the prime of life at thirty years of age, so that we might have hope.
Paul’s encouragement to continue to collect for the poor saints in Jerusalem continues into chapter 9. He reiterates the exhortation to stop stalling by saying,
Achaia was Corinth’s province in the Roman Empire. They had been ready there to collect for their brethren, but,
Paul wants them to deliver on their promises.
However, he is also at pains not to embarrass them into giving. He says he wants that “it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.” (v5) and reminds them,
The spirit of their giving was just as vital as the gift itself.
Paul’s words to the Corinthians took effect. A year later, he wrote to the ecclesia in Rome. He told them, “I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints.” (Rom. 15:25), and it included the contribution from the Corinthians in Achaia,
“For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.” (v26).
why would we ever choose to hold anything back when we have the means to help others?
Not only that, but “they were pleased to do it” (v27).
Being generous is a difficult thing to do because we tend to want to hold on to what we have in case we need it. It is even harder to give in the right spirit. It is worth dwelling on Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthians. Our example in giving is seen in Christ. He died for us, so why would we ever choose to hold anything back when we have the means to help others?
And we can meditate on the last verse of 2 Corinthians 9 “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” God’s generosity far surpasses anything we can offer to others. He has promised us immortality and a place in His eternal purpose. Being generous to others, when we have been so blessed with so much, is the least that we can do.
Richard Morgan
Simi Hills, CA