The Way - Day 086 (2 Corinthians 8)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
2 Corinthians 8
This chapter marks the end of Paul’s defense of his ministry against false teachers (2 Corinthians 1-7) and the beginning of a discussion regarding financial giving (2 Corinthians 8-9).  For several years Paul had been collecting an offering for the poor believers in Jerusalem (Romans 15:25-28; Galatians 2:10).  The Corinthians heard about this offering and inquired about how they could be involved in providing for the poor (1 Corinthians 16:1).  Although Paul had given them instructions on how to collect money for this offering (1 Corinthians 16:2-4), the believers at Corinth had not yet responded.

Paul writes to Corinth about the extreme generosity of the churches in Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea) who had given toward this offering even though they were experiencing great trials and financial struggles of their own (8:1-5).  The churches in Macedonia had first given themselves completely to God and then allowed God to use them to help others in their time of hardship (8:5).  Paul desired the Corinthians to also be used by God in helping those in Jerusalem, so he had sent Titus to urge them in this expression of love for others (8:6-7).  Paul would not force the Corinthians to give (8:8), but he reminded them that giving generously best reflects the actions of Christ who sacrificed Himself so that others could be freed from sin (8:9).  The Corinthians desired to participate in this offering a year ago and Paul advised them to finish what they had started so that God could continue to provide for their own needs (8:10-15).  In order to remove any doubt about Paul’s motivation for collecting this offering, he sent Titus and two other unnamed, but well-respected, men to collect and handle this offering for the poor believers in Jerusalem (8:16-23).  In reality, contributing to this offering was a chance for the church at Corinth to prove their love for God and others because giving is one of the highest forms of love (8:24).

Dear God, help me to love others by giving when it is in my power to do so.