Welcome to the next edition of this bible study. 2 Corinthians chapter 8 tells us of the grace God blesses us with as we give ourselves to the Lord and then give what we can. This section is a major truth of living with God and supporting each other that holds true even today. Let’s work through these verses.

2Corinthians 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: ² that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 

So, the churches of Macedonia were experiencing great afflictions and trials. They experienced deep poverty. Yet, they abounded  in the riches of the grace of God because they found His joy and gave liberally out of the things they had.

³ For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, ⁴ imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 

Their hearts were in such a place, in love with fellow believers, that above and beyond their ability, they freely wanted to give to minister to the saints. I just read news from ministries that I am involved with. The Joshua Fund is ministering to those amid the war and chaos going on in Israel. Iran Alive is ministering through electronic means to the people of Iran who have had enough of Islam and their government.  They hear the good news of Jesus and are eager to follow Him, even if it’s dangerous.

Also, Crossroads Prison Ministries, reaching those incarcerated with Bible correspondence lessons and mentoring. They are celebrating 40 years of ministry,  multiple testimonies from Crossroads students, volunteers, leaders, and mentors. All these ways to sow into what God is doing these days, the ones I’ve mentioned are a very small portion of avenues to be part of what is spreading the gospel in these days

⁵ And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. ⁶ So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well.

The Macedonians show a critical step we all should follow. First, they gave themselves to the Lord, then to the will of God, and finally, to others. The Apostle Paul is encouraging others to follow their example and experience this grace for themselves.

 ⁷ But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.⁸ I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.

In Christ, we are meant to abound in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, in our love for others. As we aspire for these things to manifest and develop in our lives, we should be diligent to sincerely love others as Christ loves us all.

Right now, our church knows God wants us to expand our church greatly.  With human understanding, there is no way our 300 people can raise the funds necessary to make this expansion a reality, aiming toward a facility that will accommodate 1,000 people.

But God! I get multiple appeals to help others most days in my mail and email. Add to this the desire to contribute to our church building project and community needs, and it’s overwhelming.  But God!

What if it is my job not to give money, but to spend time in prayer for each of these needs? Am I doing right in praying for others to give financially where I can not? Is this a time for me to examine my use of the abundance God blesses me with?

I think we are to first dedicate all we have to the LORD whose hands it comes from. Then, we should ask for wisdom to decide what is our part of blessing the opportunities that the Lord allows in our lives. We are not obligated to give to every cause that comes to us. There are many good things to support, but what is your responsibility? Only God knows, so ask Him.

Mark 14:7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always

This verse comes from Judas Iscariot saying the expensive oil Mary poured out on Jesus’s feet should have been sold and the money given to the poor. This is where discernment is needed. The appeals for our money and time and resources will never cease this side of heaven.  It is good to give to the poor in body and spirit, but Jesus said we can give to them whenever we want. Of course, this doesn’t mean we are to go into debt by giving to everyone who asks or demands. Again, discernment!

I bless you to abound in all things as God allows, according to his riches found in Christ Jesus. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He cares about each one of us He created. Look to Him alone for your provision, and may you abound in all that Christ purchased for you. Shalom, my fellow pilgrims!