Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
What a Contrast – Continued
An old expression goes, “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” There’s always somebody worse off than you. You may be feeling sorry for yourself, but there is somebody whose every breath is predicated on a machine doing the work of the human lungs. Each and every one of us ought to be saying, “Thank You, Jesus!” The Macedonian church taught us three stern realities: (1) they were poor; (2) they were severely tested by troubles, and (3) their joy was great. Because their joy was great they wanted to help the famine-stricken brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. Paul stated in the next couple of verses, “For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.” When I reflect on those words of Holy Spirit inspired Scripture, I’m reminded of the fact that God does not expect you, and God does not expect me, to do it all. All He wants us to do is to have a part. He expects us, and He desires of us, to have a share. He expects us to make our contributions. Remember, verses 3 and 4 tell us that they begged Paul to let them have a part in this missionary endeavor.
The Christians of Macedonia were saying: “Yes, we’re very poor. Yes, we’re severely tested by trouble but, in spite of it all, God has been good to us. We want to have a share in helping the brothers and sisters in Judea.” Reason and logic are both cold and dispassionate. Reason and logic are not emotional. Reason and logic are very practical. So those of you with an argumentative nature, that grows out of the context of reason and logic, are saying as you hear this message. “How can very poor, severely troubled Christians be happy, and at the same time unselfish? How is it even remotely possible?”
What a Secret
What was their secret? What was the motivation for their behavior? How can I believe there were people who actually behaved as reported by Paul in this letter? Verse 1 gives us a partial answer. Paul explains it this way when he writes, “We make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia.” In other words, generosity in people is the work of God’s grace. By nature you and I are selfish. By nature we come here with our hands closed. By nature little children have closed fists. Spiritually, many of us are still little children.
I recently read of an illustration told of a time when a pastor was shaking hands with his parishioners as they were leaving the church. A little boy came by with his mother. He wanted to give that little boy a dollar, but the little boy wouldn’t open up his hands. The pastor explained that the mother had stated, “Well, the reason why he’s not opening his hand is that he has a quarter in it. He felt that if he shook your hand [the pastor’s], he would lose his quarter.” The Bible says that God loves a cheerful giver so much so that the Word says, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
To Be Continued
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 