| LEARNING
To excel in this grace of giving NOT BY
SOWING AND
2,000 YEARS OF
JOHN WESLEY GAVE
Please Share
|
G | HOW
DOES THEIR GIVING APPLY TO TODAY?
When the Apostle Paul was anticipating the offering for the poor Christians in Jerusalem, he wrote to the Christians in Corinth, "But just as you excel in everything-- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us-- see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others." He held up the generosity of gifts for the
poor at the church in Macedonia, who he said, had given generously out
of their poverty.
". . .if the willingness is there, the gift
is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does
not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are
hard pressed, but that there might be equality."
This equality is godly. Not something that is done by ritual or tradition, or forced by law. It is a sharing with others that is from the heart. He continued, "At the present time
your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty
will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written:
‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little
did not have too little.’"
Paul's famous line about sowing, was in regard to sharing with others-- "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. "As it is written: ‘He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’" This whole section of scripture is talking about an offering for the poor. If we read it thinking it is talking about offerings and tithes for use in maintaining the expenses of running a church, we have to do some doctrinal gyrations for it to make sense. Two thousand years of traditions (many of them traditions of men) may have clouded the issue. Praise God for the Bible, which we can read, under the guidance of God's Spirit. The original truths and meanings are still available to those who are led by the Spirit. Money in the early church was mostly used
to help people.
Paul continues, "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” Unfortunately, in our time, when we hear about “being made rich in every way,” we tend to think this is all for our own enjoyment. That's not what Paul was saying, however. Thanksgiving to God will result when I use the riches from God to help those who need it. As a servant minded person I savor the opportunity to share what God has given me with someone who lacks the essentials of life. God is honored as I understand this principle. "This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. "Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. "And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.” God is honored when the community sees our amazing generosity toward people's needs "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"
|