Those With Plenty Can Help Those With Need
2 Corinthians 8:13-15
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
Paul himself was very concerned about the poor. He organized a collection among the congregations he helped found to help the Christians who were struggling back in the city of Jerusalem. During Paul's time, the persecution and discrimination against Christians were perhaps at their height in Jerusalem. Paul, when he was still called Saul, had even helped to start that persecution. He would later be caught up in that persecution; he was nearly killed there. He was arrested, put on trial, and sent off to Rome. Because of this persecution, there were many poor Christians in Jerusalem.
2 Corinthians 8 and 9 are often used when talking about offerings in general. Of course, these chapters do have some practical principles concerning that. But Paul is specifically writing about the collection for those in need. These gifts would be used to help poor Christians in Jerusalem. Not with the goal that they suddenly become rich while everyone else had to scrape to get by, but "that there might be equality" (2 Corinthians 8:13).
Right now, there are a lot of people with need. Over half a million Texans have filed for unemployment in the past month. People are looking for work. Some who were struggling before this started have now become desperate. Some of us may even be scraping by right now.
Some of us, however, may find ourselves in a time of plenty, relatively speaking. You still have your job. You haven't been too affected financially by the pandemic. God's blessed you in this way. I encourage you to think of those who are blessed in different ways at this time. Many of you have already said you're willing to help someone in need if the opportunity arises. I thank you for that.
Finally, our motivation to help is the love Jesus had for us. Paul writes, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9). Paul writes this, not as if to say, "Well, Jesus gave all his wealth away for you, so you have to do the same," but to say, "Your earthly wealth doesn't make you rich. Jesus' poverty has made you rich." When we recognize that, then we can give "what we have decided in our hearts to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). God gives us the freedom to decide in our hearts! Because Jesus has given us the riches of heaven, we are equipped to be generous with the riches of earth.
I encourage you to read all of 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 since they say so much about the love found in sharing God's blessings with others. If you are in a time of plenty, consider how you can help those in a time of need. If you are in a time of need, don't hesitate to reach out to us, your Christian brothers and sisters, for help.
If you "have decided in your heart to give," I encourage you to consider giving to Atonement's Good Samaritan Fund, which is used to help people in need. We don't yet know the lasting effects this will have on our economy, and it would be good to be prepared to help. You can give to the Good Samaritan fund which is used to help people in need in our community.
If you would prefer to give an anonymous gift to a specific opportunity should one arise, please let me or one of the elders know.
Most of all, take time to pray about this. Ask God for wisdom in using your blessings. Ask God to continue to supply your needs and the needs of those around you. Trust in his providing care. If Jesus was willing to give up heaven for you, he is willing to give you everything you need.