Giving and Generosity - 2 Corinthians 8-10

 2 Corinthians 8:12-15 (ESV)

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

The entire 8th and 9th chapters to the Corinthians in this letter is to frame for the Corinthian believers the concept of giving money for the church in Jerusalem, that is under extreme impoverished conditions.  This was due to be the persecution they faced, many who had lost jobs, Roman intolerance toward Christians and the extreme famines in the land.   Paul wants to outline for the churches in Corinth their duty and privilege to support other believers.   To understand the above passage we really need to read the entire chapter.   These is NOT a good chapters and/or verses to pull out of context.   For instance, we should not read the above passage without this verse:

2 Corinthians 8:3 (ESV)

For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,

In that verse we read that the Macedonians gave beyond their ability.  In the top verses Paul stresses that we are to give based upon what we have, verse not what we have.   How do these two work in harmony?    Paul’s main thought is that we are to give from the heart and that means there is not an exact percentage to give of what we have.   His thought is that some will give more and some will give less, but it is the heart of the matter that is being spoken to and written about.   When the poor widow gave she gave all that she had to live on:

Luke 21:4 (ESV)

For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

To further explain, Paul uses the example of the nation of Israel gathering the mana in the wilderness each morning.  There was a sense of equality about their gathering.   His use of this example is teaching us that we are not to be living in a such a way that some believers are struggling and some are flourishing.   Notice the example and principle we read about in the early church:

Acts 2:44 (ESV)

And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

Paul is not teaching socialism as much as he is teaching to care for those in our Body that have needs that are being unmet.  We are to recognize the needs of those in the church and contribute to help those needs.   That is the overarching principle Paul is teaching.   We are to:

1. Give cheerfully.

2. Give from the heart (not compulsory).

3. Give to needs.

4. Give based upon what we have (we are not to go into debt to give).

5. Give in a way that honors God’s give to us (we are the conduit for blessings He gives us to give others).