Holiness, Godliness, Usefulness
01/22/2016, by John Kincaid
Lesson 854: Why Give? Pt.10
2 Cor.8:13-15 I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.
As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”
In 2 Cor.8:13, God does the equalizing to balance the books; this verse is against Communism.
The early church voluntarily shared what they had without forcing anyone, and it was temporary.
The goal of giving is not to evenly distribute all the money, but to give from our equality in Him.
All believers are equal in God’s eyes. When a fellow believer cannot meet their needs, we can.
Someday the tables will probably turn, so that you are need and they will be able to give.
Every local church should be this type of loving fellowship. When one has a need, others supply.
Wealthy churches have been blessed so that they can assist poor churches to fulfill ministry.
2 Cor.8:15 quotes Exo.16:18 about God’s gift of manna to the Israelites during the Exodus.
When they tried to hoard more manna than they could eat, it quickly spoiled.
When they took just the amount they needed for each day, God blessed them.
God faithfully provided enough fresh manna for each person every day.
It is the same with money. We should not hoard resources; God will provide for our basic needs.
About This Series
The goal of this series is to become more useful in serving the Lord Jesus Christ, as an instrument in the Redeemer's hand. The theme verses for the series are Ephesians 4:22-24, Philemon 11, 2 Timothy 2:21
- to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
- and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
- Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.
- Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.