Abundance..... Scarcity..........

Abundance.....

Scarcity..........

"Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality." (2 Corinthians 8:13)

A friend of mine once shared this real-life experience:

In a foreign country, a moving car suddenly caught fire. The driver remained calm, quickly pulled over to the roadside, and parked safely. In that country, it is common for the fire department and emergency responders to arrive almost immediately when an accident occurs. My friend watched as, within minutes, a fire engine came racing to the scene with sirens blaring. Firefighters jumped out, unrolled the hose, and signaled to release the water. But when they opened the valve, they discovered that the water tank was empty.

By the time another fire engine (with water) arrived, the car had almost completely burned down.

In 2 Corinthians chapter 8, Paul speaks about helping the saints in Jerusalem who were going through severe poverty.

The Corinthian church had begun collecting an offering a year earlier (2 Corinthians 8:10), but when the time came, they became like that fire engine that arrived without water—unable to help when it mattered most. Perhaps Paul's firm correction of the church's errors had dampened their enthusiasm. Paul was not the kind of spiritual leader who would avoid confronting wrongdoing simply to keep a wealthy church happy.

The northern region of Greece was Macedonia, home to churches such as Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. The southern region was Achaia, where Corinth was located.

The Macedonian churches were going through severe trials and extreme poverty. This was largely because, after the Romans conquered Macedonia—the homeland of Alexander the Great—they stripped the region of its wealth.

Yet, out of their poverty, they gave beyond their ability, just like the widow who offered her two mites. Paul did not have to plead with them to help. Instead, they earnestly begged Paul for the privilege of sharing in the ministry of helping the believers in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:3–4).

Paul emphasizes four times in this chapter that giving financial assistance is a grace.

His message is this: If, in earlier days, the spiritual abundance of the believers in Jerusalem enriched you spiritually, then today your material abundance should help relieve their material poverty.

While many believe they can love others without sharing their resources with those in need, the Apostle John teaches that such love is meaningless (cf. 1 John 3:17–18).

Dear friends,

Just as the example of the Macedonian churches was praised...

Just as the widow with her two mites was noticed...

There is a God who sees those who give beyond their means, even in their own poverty.

At the same time, when we possess enough and even have the willingness to give, yet hold back for one reason or another, we should remember that there are people enduring severe poverty.

On the other hand,

When we look for capable people to provide help, God may choose those whom we consider incapable.

Remember:

Abundance does not last forever.

Neither does scarcity remain forever.

Equality is God's desire.

May God bless you all.