The Community of Believers

In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 2 Corinthians 8:2-5

Paul wrote to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 8 appealing for them to give out of their plenty to help supply the need of other believers.  This was in stark contrast to the Macedonians who he described earlier in the chapter as having "rich generosity" in "their extreme poverty."

Wow!!! The Macedonians were even pleading for the "privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord's people."  Now, this is amazing.  They were going through great difficulties, but did not selfishly give in to self-pity, but rather selflessly gave in a self sacrificial manner.  They didn't complain about giving, but they joyfully shared even more than they could.

This makes me really think if the Church, as a community of believers, is really acting like a community should.  Two definitions of community stand out to me in the Merriam-Webster dictionary.  The first is a "unified body of individuals,"  and the second, "joint ownership or participation."  I believe these two should be what Church looks like, but it is not.

Christ prayed in John 17 that the believers would be one as He and the Father are one. A unified body is dear to His heart. Yet, we have chosen to argue over petty differences, instead of unite in our belief in Christ.

The Macedonians did not only give themselves to firstly the Lord, but they also offered up themselves to Paul and his fellow laborers in Christ. What a fantastic model for the Church to live by! Instead, we are so busy, being busy with our own stuff and hoarding our "riches"  that we don't commit our time, talent and treasures to God and His people.  We grumble about not having enough to tithe, although Christ said to give up everything and follow Him.  We hold on to our possessions, while trying to acquire more of the "unnecessities" to feel happier, even though our brother or sister in Christ knowingly to us suffers dire need.  Ignoring their state, we focus on ourselves and our family, but making sure to go to church religiously and doing ministry vacantly, hoping to buy God's grace.  We have failed to realize The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for our sake He became poor, so that we through His poverty might become rich. (v. 9)

Jesus was stripped of everything when He went to the cross for us.  Yet, to give someone a little assistance is often deemed as a great inconvenience to us. I am overjoyed that Christ did not see the cross as an inconvenience.

I don't want to miss the second definition, which is "joint ownership or participation." Yikes!!! I know this will make most people squeamish as we think that we have worked hard to acquire all we have and we don't want to give it to a lazy bum.  Wait a minute though, the Bible unequivocally advocates hard work and wisdom.  We don't support slackness, as that is madness.  However, whenever possible, we should try to help those who are working hard, but still aren't making ends meet.  Paul emphasized 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.” (v. 15) IT IS BIBLICAL.

We get so caught up with "our" stuff and keeping up appearances that we become afraid to give,as we consider it loss instead of gain. Gripped by fear, we seem to forget that we are in an upside down kingdom in which giving is receiving.

It is time to do what is right in the eyes of God and the eyes of man by proving our love through the gift of giving, not to buy God's love or man's favor however, but to show God's grace working in us.