The Riches of Liberality
—2Corinthians 8
In this chapter for study, (2Corinthians 8), Paul wrote about a collection being gathered among Gentile churches to aid the poor Christians in Jerusalem. They were suffering serious financial hardship. Paul described the gift by the Macedonian churches, as "riches of liberality". He wanted the Corinthian church to give likewise. That could be achieved if certain conditions were observed:
1 Liberality Even in Great Trial
2Cor 8, verses 1-2
Paul told the Corinthians how the Macedonian churches abounded in the riches of their liberality. Yet that was while they were in a great trial. Paul listed these honours and hardships of the Macedonian churches:
- (1) Honour: the grace of God was bestowed on them;
- (2) Hardship: they were suffering a great trial of afflictions;
- (3) Honour: their joy was abundant;
- (4) Hardship: their poverty was deep;
- (5) Honour: their liberality was rich.
2 Liberality According to Ability
2Cor 8, verses 3-5
Paul said of the Macedonians that according to their ability, even beyond their ability, they were freely willing to give. It was commendable that they were willing to give so liberally, but God did not require them to bankrupt themselves.
The Macedonians begged Paul and his companions to receive their contribution, so they could share in the ministry to the poor Christians in Jerusalem. Paul did not pressure them for money they could not afford. He accepted their contribution, since they had given according as they had been prospered, and according to their ability, which they themselves assessed. Paul was rewarded for letting free will decide the amount given, because it turned out to be more than he had hoped.
3 Liberality Abounding in Everything
2Cor 8, verses 6-7
Titus was urged to help the Corinthians as he had others. The Corinthians were abundant in everything: faith, speech, knowledge, diligence, and love. Paul urged them to also abound in their grace for the poor in Jerusalem.
Paul reminded them of "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich". It was good that they had a sense of urgency about their gift, but they also needed a sense of abundant liberality. Rather than keeping back an abundance for themselves, they were better to give it freely.
4 Liberality from a Willing Mind
2Cor 8, verses 10-12
The Corinthians had begun their collection willingly a year previously, but they had not completed it. Paul encouraged them personally to have a willingness to conclude what they had begun. He told them to do what they were able to do out of what they had at that time.
5 Liberality With Equality
2Cor 8, verses 13-15
Paul also followed another principle: that each church participating in the collection be treated equally. If the people in one church had little, they gave what they could. If the people in another church had an abundance, they gave abundantly, which balanced out the other church’s lack. Neither church was excessively burdened and neither was excessively eased.
It was like Exodus 16:18 about the manna for the Israelites wandering in the wilderness. He who gathered much manna had nothing left over, and he who gathered a little manna had no lack. Likewise, those who had abundance made up for those who lacked, so that there was equality among the churches.
6 Liberality with Good Administration
2Cor 8, verses 16-21
Paul made sure that this collection for the poor Christians in Jerusalem was properly and carefully administered. He included Titus and another brother, who was well known and praiseworthy, to travel with the company carrying the relief offering to the Jerusalem church.
7 Liberality With Diligence and Confidence
2Cor 8, verses 22-24
Paul further commended the brother for his consistent diligence in ministry. This diligence was increased by sharing Paul’s confidence in the Corinthian church. And transparency was one factor requiring diligence and building confidence.