Reflection on 2 Corinthians 8.7-15

If the willingness is there the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

Our desire is not for others to be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there should be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.

In the decades after the resurrection of Jesus there was a devastating famine, causing terrible suffering, particularly in Jerusalem. Paul is writing to the various churches to ask for their support for their starving fellow Christians.

Whereas the Corinthians were slow to respond, when the much poorer Christians in Macedonia heard what was happening in Jerusalem they gave all they could, actually contributing more than the relatively wealthy Corinthians.

It is a fact that people who have very little themselves are often the most generous givers. We cannot claim to be ignorant of the many desperately needy in our own society and elsewhere. As Paul says, we are not called to impoverish ourselves through our giving, but we are called to give what we can to help those less fortunate than ourselves. The fact that we cannot answer every call for help is not a reason to do nothing.

‘Freely you have received, freely give’ ( Matt.10.8)

Revd Rosemary