Sounds a Lot Like Grace.

One of the things which comes shining through in 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 is Paul’s profound desire to see the deep need of the Mother Church in Jerusalem met, and her impoverished condition assuaged, by the Gentile churches.  He wanted the Body of Jesus in one part of the world— which owed its very existence to the Message, the Mission, and the men who had gone forth from Judea— to meet the material needs of the Body in another part of the world.  This entire section, the entirety of chs. 8-9 together, are a reminder to the Corinthians and to the Church in Achaia of their duty and a challenge to their generosity.

A couple of thoughts on this section of Scripture.

Paul uses two shining examples in his ‘apostolic appeal.’  One is the “Macedonian churches” who, in his own words, were “extreme” in their “poverty,” yet “rich” in their “generosity” {v. 2}.  They were under the gun of trial and tribulation and still their “joy” was intact, so much so that “they gave all they had and even beyond,” more than anyone could’ve expected, including Paul {v. 3}.  So much so that they “pleaded ...urgently” with Paul and Titus for the “privilege of partnering in this service to the Saints” {v. 4}.  Find me a Pastor who wouldn’t love to shepherd a flock like this!

During the Feast of Purim, among the Hebrews there is an ancient custom which essentially says, ‘No matter how poor you are {or imagine yourself to be}, there is always someone worse off than you.  Find them ...and give to them freely.’  You are to give a gift with no expectation of return.  Hmmmm... this sounds a lot like grace.

Unfortunately, it’s often those who have the least who are most prepared to share it.  People in poor families, poor churches, poor communities meeting each other’s needs.  You know why?  Cause they know what it’s like!

The other concrete example of character Paul draws on is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The sacrifice of the Son of God did not begin on Calvary’s Cross, not even in the Incarnation.  It began in the Ages of Eternity, in the unnamed eons before His virgin birth, when the Son laid aside His heavenly glory and laid down the prerogatives of Deity, stood up from His Throne, looked over to His Abba and before all the Hosts of Heaven said, “Here am I.  Send Me.”  Two words, powerful and pure: I will.  We use them in wedding ceremonies all the time, as a consecration of one soul to another, as a pledge of fidelity, a promise of love, a covenant between us.  “Who will go?”  “I will, Abba, I will.”

What exactly do we have a right to refuse with a King like this before us, with the shining example of the Son of God burned into our souls?  Tell me, again, how your ‘rights’ take precedence over your ‘responsibilities’ ...how your ‘precious time’ is more important than the issues of ‘Eternity’ ...how receiving mercy is fine but giving it, not so much.  Now tell your Redeemer, if you dare.

HJC	Ric Webb  |  Shepherd Heart’s Journey Community 9621 Tall Timber Blvd. |  Little Rock, AR 72204 t +1.501.455.0296
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Heart’s Journey – Live Generously and Love Graciously