A Life in Exile

There are countless lessons to be learned from the exodus experience and wilderness wanderings of the Israelites. Many are recounted within the psalms and prophecies of the Old Testament itself, but there are others given in the New Testament to help Christ-followers and the first-century Church.

In his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul wants to encourage the believers with the kindness of their treatment of his fellow servant, Titus, who came from Corinth to be with Paul in Macedonia. He was much comforted with the reception Titus received and the help given. Now he begins to share how even the church in Macedonia, though in a much poorer state than that of Corinth, had given generously and sacrificially to help the Christians in Judea. They were suffering dearly under persecution and devastation, and Gentile churches were being asked to give.

The Model of Christ

Over that of a sister church, the Corinthian believers were encouraged by Paul to first look at the example of Christ.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9 CSB

For every situation in life, for every need, we need always to look first and foremost to our Lord. “What would Jesus do?” becomes “What did Jesus do?” In terms of giving, we know that Jesus gave up his heavenly throne in order to take on the form of man for our sake. The riches of heaven were set aside for a time to make us rich in salvation.

Equality in Supply

The Corinthians had previously given to help the poor in Judea, but Paul feels they have more to give. This is why he first points out the Macedonians because he knew them to be much worse off than the believers in Corinth. If they could give out of their poverty, then believers in Corinth had still more to give.

For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. It is not that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality. At the present time your surplus is available for their need, so that their abundance may in turn meet your need, in order that there may be equality.

2 Corinthians 8:12-14

If the church in Corinth has some surplus, they should be able to give more. Then, at a later time, if they find they too are hurting and in need, the other churches will be able to give to them. How are our churches today using their surplus to help churches who are hurting? Are we meeting the needs of believers in order that all may have what they need? Are struggling congregations willing to accept donations from larger churches? Is there equality in the Body of Christ?

God—The Great Equalizer

Here is where Paul goes all the way back to the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt to show how God values equality among his people.

As it is written: The person who had much did not have too much, and the person who had little did not have too little.

2 Corinthians 4:15

What is this referring to? The grumbling of the Israelites in the Wilderness of Sin. The story is in Exodus 16, and after leaving Egypt, the Israelites faced trials in the desert and wilderness areas beyond the Red Sea. Complaining of hunger, God tells Moses that he is going to rain bread from heaven on the people, but gives some instructions along with the blessing.

In the morning there was a layer of dew all around the camp. When the layer of dew evaporated, there were fine flakes on the desert surface, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they asked one another, “What is it?” because they didn’t know what it was. Moses told them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Gather as much of it as each person needs to eat. You may take two quarts per individual, according to the number of people each of you has in his tent.’”

So the Israelites did this. Some gathered a lot, some a little. When they measured it by quarts, the person who gathered a lot had no surplus, and the person who gathered a little had no shortage. Each gathered as much as he needed to eat. Moses said to them, “No one is to let any of it remain until morning.” But they didn’t listen to Moses; some people left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. Therefore Moses was angry with them.

Exodus 16:13b-20

Daily, the people were to gather what they needed, but in a way only God could manage, when each person measured their supply, they equaled out to the exact amount needed. Even when they tried to keep some till morning, God took care of that too, by infesting the manna with worms and leading it to stink.

We have a God who supplies our needs, whether we are in the wilderness, facing financial difficulties, or enduring times of oppression. He chooses to meet those needs through the local church. No church is exempt from helping their fellow believers, whether nearby or across the ocean. Those who are blessed more abundantly can give more, while those who are struggling can also help as they are able. No one is exempt from helping, blessings come to all who give in equal measure.

Be careful that you and your church are generous in giving. Those who hoard for tomorrow may lose what they have if they are stingy in giving.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Learning from the Past post, click HERE, or start the series from the BEGINNING.