A problem that plagued Paul's evangelistic work among the gentiles was the Jewish and Jewish Christians' attitude toward gentiles (see Acts 15:1, 2 and the book of Galatians to see the problem and its significance). One effort Paul used in an attempt to solve the problem was centered in gathering and taking a contribution from gentile Christians to struggling Jews in Jerusalem. Today's text focuses on poor gentile Christians in Macedonia who wanted to participate in Paul's effort.
First, note what these poor Christians did. Though their economic condition was so horrible that they should receive help rather than give help, they insisted on being included in sending a gift to the Jews. Paul described their economic condition as "a great ordeal of affliction" and "deep poverty." Yet, in this horrible economic condition, these Christians gave "in abundance" and in "the wealth of their liberality." Paul described what they did as an "overflowing." He said these Christians gave out of their ability to give and desire to give.
The obvious question to be asked is, "Why?" The answer to that question has two parts. (1) They identified with the struggles of others regardless of who they were. Their attitude had much in common with the attitude of the Samaritan in Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan. To these Christians, the issue was not, "Would they do this for me?" The issue was, "They are in need, and we can help." (2) They genuinely belonged to Jesus Christ. Because they gave themselves to the Lord, they were convinced this gift was God's will. They were so convinced they should be involved in this effort, they begged Paul to allow them to participate. They did not beg Paul to accept their gift once, but they kept on begging Paul to accept their gift.
Second, note Paul's reaction. Because the Macedonian Christians were in such severe poverty, Paul had not expected anything from them. These poor Christians gave so generously that Paul hesitated to accept their gift! In fact, they gave so generously that Paul used their generosity as an illustration to encourage other gentile congregations to give!
Paul did not command people to give. He simply reminded them of how much God gave to them. Jesus Christ [not things of monetary value] was God's gift to them [and us!]. Jesus Christ willingly became poor so that Christians might be rich! God did not intend to do something! He did it! Jesus did not intend to do something! He did it! Gentile congregations should not intend to do something! They should do it! Just as God and Jesus followed through, gentile congregations should follow through.
Third, note the Christian principles involved. (1) God only asks Christians to do what they can. The issue is not "what we would do if we were rich," but it is "what will we do with what we have?" Our self-centered considerations do not determine "what we can do." God's knowledge of our ability determines "what we can do." If we have an attitude of readiness, we will respond to a need. (2) There is no injustice at work if we have less so people with needs can have more. Paul referred to this as the principle of equality. Christians look at people, not things. People are always more valuable than things, even when we discuss "my" things. With the manna God gave Israel in Exodus 16:18, the industrious did not profit. The feeble did not suffer. Everyone had enough--a day's supply. Thus those who were able to gather more than a day's supply shared what they gathered. Those who could not gather a day's supply accepted the gift. [It is challenging both to give and accept!] A commitment to sharing and equality always has been the principle guiding people belonging to God. [Have you read Deuteronomy 15:1-11, Acts 2:44, or Acts 4:36, 37 lately? Also note Acts 5:1-11.]
Again, we return to the same question: Why? These principles can sound anti-American, anti-capitalism, and anti-profit. The point is not that it is unspiritual for a Christian to have. Paul noted there were prosperous people who were Christians in 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
Why? Christians are changed by being influenced by God and Jesus' example. He or she who belongs to God learns to see people as God sees them. Just as God responded to our need, we respond to the needs of others. Read Matthew 5:43-48. Those who belong to God want to be like God. God is their standard. His actions form their principles.
God's people are a benevolent people because God is a benevolent God. Consider Leviticus 19:9, 10. Not harvest to the corners of your field? Not collect fallen fruit? In an agricultural society that had no canning or freezing, that made no sense! (If you consider that extreme, read Deuteronomy 24:19-22.)
Why do that? "Because I am the Lord your God" (see Leviticus 23:22). Much more is involved in that statement than "I am God, and I am in control. Respect my authority!" Israel was His people and He delivered them from Egypt and its slavery. A basic motivation was this: If Israel understood who they were and where they came from, they wanted to be like their God.
This principle of sharing is not new. It always was (is) characteristic of people who belong to God. Modern application: We evangelize because God evangelizes. Christians seek to share much more with people than the material. When we understand who we are and where we came from, we want to share our God.
If people are important to God, people must be important to those who belong to God.
For Thought and Discussion
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 8