Despite Poverty
Paul had been gathering material help for the Jerusalem church. The Corinthians had been tardy in contributing. Paul now challenges them. His conception of Christian giving is a lofty one. It was a “grace”, a ministry of the Holy Spirit inwrought in personal experience and outwrought in practical expression. Corinth abounded in everything else, but lacked here. Paul challenges them with two examples.
Firstly, the Macedonians, vv. 1–6. They were in deep poverty and had experienced affliction, yet there was unselfish devotedness, loving others better than themselves. Despite poverty, they had shown liberality and had given spontaneously (“willing of themselves”). They had begged permission to help, and exceeded Paul’s expectations, even “beyond their power”, v. 3.
Love does not calculate what it can spare, or what it can afford. What was the secret? “They first gave their own selves to the Lord”, v. 5. Their giving was the outward expression of their inward devotion. First in importance, they gave themselves to Him. If a man feels that he does not own himself, much less will he feel that his goods are his own. God wants us before our money. The Corinthians’ giving was preceded by an act of complete self-surrender.
Secondly, Christ Himself, v. 9. The example of Christ and our gratitude to Him for His infinite condescension on our behalf are the supreme motives for Christian giving. Paul speaks of Christ’s mysterious and unique self-impoverishment. Who can conceive the riches which were His? Making Himself poor, making us rich; taking our cross, giving us a crown; taking our sin, giving us God’s righteousness; taking our curse and giving us His blessing. He impoverished Himself that we might be enriched. Part of our response should be to sacrifice a portion of our worldly goods to meet the needs of others who are Christ’s.
Now the Corinthians had begun earlier to prepare to give, but had stopped, vv. 6, 10. Paul wants them to start again with a willing mind, v. 11, according to their ability, v. 12, and with every confidence in his scrupulosity over the safekeeping and stewardship of their contribution, vv. 16–24.
Secondly, Christ Himself, v. 9. The example of Christ and our gratitude to Him for His infinite condescension on our behalf are the supreme motives for Christian giving. Paul speaks of Christ’s mysterious and unique self-impoverishment. Who can conceive the riches which were His? Making Himself poor, making us rich; taking our cross, giving us a crown; taking our sin, giving us God’s righteousness; taking our curse and giving us His blessing. He impoverished Himself that we might be enriched. Part of our response should be to sacrifice a portion of our worldly goods to meet the needs of others who are Christ’s.
Now the Corinthians had begun earlier to prepare to give, but had stopped, vv. 6, 10. Paul wants them to start again with a willing mind, v. 11, according to their ability, v. 12, and with every confidence in his scrupulosity over the safekeeping and stewardship of their contribution, vv. 16–24.
