THEY FIRST GAVE THEMSELVES TO THE LORD
2 Corinthians 8:1-5
A NEED AMONG THE PEOPLE OF GOD
1. The need was prophesied about (Acts 11:27-30).
“27Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.”
2. The issue addressed elsewhere and involved “serving the saints” and “fruit”. It is a kingdom principle to share material things with those who labor spiritually (Romans 15:25-28).
“25but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. 26For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things. 28Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain.”
3. Paul was going to come to collect and transport the offerings to Judea (1 Corinthians 16:1-4).
“1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come. 3When I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem; 4and if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me.”
4. Paul and Barnabas were given the right hand of fellowship and sent to the Gentiles, but were not to forget the saints in Jerusalem who were in need (Galatians 2:10).
“They only asked us to remember the poor – the very thing I also was eager to do.”
5. This particular situation is now being addressed in Paul’s letter to Corinth at great length than before (2 Corinthians 8:1-9:13).
“NOW” THE NEED CAN BE ADDRESSED (v. 1)
1. Corinth has purged itself of sin (7:1, 8-12), refreshed Titus (7:13), and Paul has confidence in them (7:16). Now, they can move on to service in the kingdom. The living sacrifice must come first (Romans 12:1-2) then the works come, both of which will be pleasing to God (Philippians 4:18).
2. Paul is not going to paint a heart wrenching picture of the suffering that the saints in Judea are undergoing in order to motivate the church in Corinth to urge their participation. Instead, he makes known the grace of God “which has been given in the churches of Macedonia.”
THE GRACE OF GOD ENABLED THE MACEDONIANS (v. 1)
1. Grace was given in the churches of Macedonia to benefit the church in Judea. Macedonia is an area containing the Bereans, Philippians, and Thessalonians. The Philippians were said to have been participating in the gospel from the first day until Paul wrote them a letter (Philippians 1:5).
2. Salvation comes “by grace through faith” and so did the offering from Macedonia. The gift came through the grace of God through their faith as it was evidenced by their works as James would have us say (James 2:24-26).
3. “We will see that there is also triumph in the Sea, in the desert, and in the furnace. There is victory in the lion’s den, at the bottom of the seas, and in the tomb. It is true that we do have the heavenly “treasure” of the “knowledge of the glory of God,” in an earthen vessel (2 Cor 4:7). Like the alabaster box of precious ointment had to be broken so its contents could be lavished upon Christ, and its fragrance fill the room (Mk 14:3), so the followers of Jesus are broken so their precious treasure can emit its fragrance to those around them.” – Given Blakely, Commentary on 2 Corinthians |
Giving to the saints is a gracious work (v. 6-7) for us to “abound” in! When we participate in the support of the saints we are given grace and we give grace!
THEY GAVE WHILE IN GREAT AFFLICTION AND DEEP POVERTY (v. 2)
1. Trials have purpose - faith (1 Peter 1:5-7)
“5who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ”
2. Trials are normal (1 Peter 4:12) but through faith we overcome the world (1 John 5:4-5). The Macedonians were able to support the saints because they were given grace and lay walked by faith even in a “great ordeal of affliction” and in “their deep poverty”. Remember that it is our faith that lays hold of the grace of God.
3. During this trial the church had an abundance of joy and deep poverty. Their joy was abundant despite deep poverty and great affliction. Worldly organizations do not approach those in deep poverty for offerings but the kingdom is not of this world. Those of deep faith are often in great affliction and deep poverty. Those of deep faith are used by God.
4. They gave not only according to their ability but beyond their ability, which only occurs through faith. Faith considers not what WE are able to do but what GOD is able to do.
THEY GAVE ON THEIR OWN ACCORD (v. 3)
1. Paul simply shared with them the needs of the brethren and God gave them grace to make the most of the opportunity.
2. This is a common characteristic of the people of God in the New Covenant (Acts 2:42-47).
3. Giving is not a duty but an opportunity. This allows it to be done with a cheerful heart. Those with the mind of God do not need to strong exhortation but simply an opportunity. In fact this offering was not commanded at all (v. 8).
BEGGING TO PARTICIPATE (v. 4)
1. The church in Macedonia was begging to participate in the grace of supporting the saints. This is the manner of saints.
2. Those believing in God say things like “what shall we do” because they want to participate in the gospel. They want to be a “God’s fellow worker” (1 Corinthians 3:9). They want to get in on kingdom activity and when opportunity arises they beg to participate.
3. Their conduct was an example and inspiration to the church in Corinth to “abound in this gracious work also” (v. 7). We are in fact “created in Christ Jesus for good works” and the Macedonians were “walking in them” (Ephesians 2:10) as they were “adequately equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). They were not only hearers of the word but doers of the word (James 1:22). This is an evidence of faith. Where works are lacking, faith is lacking. For “faith without works is dead”.
4. Those who have been redeemed and purified by Christ are “zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:14). This is the way of those who are “His own possession”.
THEY FIRST GAVE THEMSELVES TO THE LORD
1. It is of first importance to yourself to give to the Lord. The gift to the Lord was not of monetary value but was themselves. They gave their lives to God.
2. No gift will be honored by God if it precedes giving yourself to Him. For He has always wanted us rather than our sacrifices.
3. When Hezekiah restored temple worship he said “yield to the Lord” (2 Chronicles 30:8)
4. Paul said “present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead” (Romans 6:13) and again “present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:1).
5. This is not extraordinary but normal in the kingdom for “He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (2 Corinthians 5:15). “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
6. Those unwilling to help brothers and sisters in Christ have not given themselves to the Lord.
1 John 3:15-18 “15Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?”
Other verses on giving to the saints
(Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-37; 6:1-3; 11:29-30; 24:17; Romans 15:25-28; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8:4; 9:1; Galatians 2:10; Hebrews 6:10; John 3:17).