seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
2 Corinthians 8:1 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
This is from the commentary.
The churches of Macedonia: The northern part of Greece was called Macedonia. The southern part was called Achaia, and the city of Corinth was in the region of Achaia. Paul writes about the example he sees in the churches of Macedonia. The churches of Macedonia were in cities such as Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea.
The poverty of the Macedonians is confirmed by secular history. The Romans took most of their wealth when they conquered this former homeland of Alexander the Great.
Freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift: Paul didn’t have to beg for money from the Macedonian Christians (which he wouldn’t have done anyway). Instead, they were begging him (imploring us) to receive the gift!
I speak not by commandment: Paul isn’t commanding the Corinthian Christians to give. Paul knew that giving from commandment isn’t giving at all; we call that kind of giving taxation.
Back in Acts 5, Peter had a couple of people who agreed to sell everything they had and give the proceeds to the church. Then, they held back some of the income. They didn't give everything they had.... and in verses 5 and 10 Ananias and Sapphira were dead at Peter's feet. At least there are no deaths in Paul's collection attempts.I know God is capable of anything. When Jesus was called to pay a tax, a coin appeared in a fish's mouth. God doesn't need money. As a matter of fact, I bet God shook his head when he watched those poor humans trying to appease Paul and Peter with those shiny little baubles they traded back then as money.
God doesn't want their money. If God wants a church, He'll simply put the humans to work building one. He did it on the road out of Egypt and in Jerusalem. God doesn't need us or our money.
Paul needed the money to complete his mission.... and I am really beginning he's the example of how a preacher should not depend on the offering plate. In Acts 5, Peter didn't need that extra money.... Peter didn't want the trend of keeping a little back to take root after he convinced so many to sell it all and establish Peter's church.
Paul and Peter didn't recognize the longing to care for others that most Christians enjoy after accepting Jesus as their Savior. Money doesn't mean as much to Christians. Loving others is what is important. We don't need to collect coins.
Tithing is not essential. It's a ghost of the past. If the church needs something, God will provide.
Man needs a fancy building with lights, water, sewage, and a parking lot to fit the crowd.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
God doesn't need a tithe.... Paul does.
God doesn't need it all.... Peter does.
God doesn't want anything but Our Love.
